Historic 

Lower Merion 

AND Blockley 



■ 




Dora Harvey Develin, A. M. 




Class T\5 ' T 

Book_iAxD4 



Goipglit}^^- 



CQFXRICHT DEPOSm 



Historic Lower Merion 
and Blockley 

Also the Erection or Establishment of 
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



By 
DORA HARVEY DEVELIN, A. M. 

Author of "Some Historical Spots in Lower Merion" 

Member of the Montgomery County and Valley Forge Historical Societies, and 
League of American Pen Women 

Regent of Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution 
(for 21 years) 

President of the Martha Williams Society, Children of the American Revolution 



.LA, LOWER MERION 
1922 






Copyriglit, 1922, by 
Dora Harvey Develin 



JUL -2 1923 



Printed by 

Gkorgk H Buchanan Company 

At the Sign of tlie Ivy Leaf 

Philadelpliia 



IC1A7110(J5 



5S')^^a^ 



^-^ I 



tKo tijc 

iWcmorp of Mv Jfatfjer 

JAMES B. HARVEY, Sr. 
A Member of the Historical Society of Montgomery 
County, and the Centennial Association of Montgomery 
County. 

^Is;o to iWp lister 

MARGARET B. HARVEY, A. M. 

A Member of the Historical Society of Montgomery 
County and Pennsylvania Historical Society ; of the 
Valley Forge Memorial Association ; and Historian of 
Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. 

From each of whom much of the matter contained in the 
following pages was obtained, this work is affectionately 
inscribed by the Author. 

UoRA Harvey Develin 



CONTENTS 

PART I 
Lower Merion Township 

PAGE 

Lower Merion Friends' Meeting House 8 

The General Wayne Tavern 17 

The Ford Road 20 

The Old Lancaster Road 22 

Old Gulph Road 27 

Hanging Rock Is Spared 2>2 

The Old Black Horse Tavern and Barn 35 

"Lilac Grove" 42 

The Latch Homesteads 44 

Seventh Battalion of Philadelphia Militia 46 

Lower Merion Academy 47 

The Columbia Railroad 52 

Memorial Stone — Erected by Merion Chapter, D. A. R 54 

Camp Ground of the Georgia Continentals 56 

"Harriton" 61 

Old Dutch Church, Ardmore 63 

Lower Merion Baptist Church 64 

PART H 
Early History of Blockley 

West Park 71 

Reed's Map 83 

"Hestonville"— And Colonel Edward W. Heston 88 

An Old Assessor's List 95 

"Wynnstay" 99 

The Five Points 101 

Blockley Baptist Church 102 

Old Roads 103 

Valley Forge 104 

PART HI 
The Erection of Montgomery County 

PART IV 
Centennial Celebration of Montgomery County 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

First Welsh Settlements— Map of 1681 7 

Lower Merion Friends' Meeting House 9 

The Price Mansion 10 

Map of Merion and Blockley, 1750 11 

The Thomas Homestead 12 

The Old General Wayne Tavern 18 

Conestoga Wagon 22 

Tablet Marking Original Milestone 23 

Unveiling Tablet Marking Original Milestone 24 

Water Mark of the Old Dove Mill Paper 29 

Gulph Mill 31 

Hanging Rock 32 

The Bicking Family Graveyard 34 

"Black Horse Tavern" 36 

The "Black Horse" Barn 38 

The Blue Bell Tavern 41 

"Lilac Grove" 42 

The Latch Homestead 45 

Lower Merion Academy 47 

Levering's Map of 1851 49-50 

The Old Mill— Rock Hollow 51 

Memorial Stone — Erected by Merion Chapter, D. A. R 55 

Bronze Tablet — Marking Camp Ground 59 

Parish House and Rectory — St. John's Church, Lower Merion, Pa. 60 

"Harriton" 62 

Home of Jesse and Rebecca George 71 

Memorial Hall 72 

"Brunnenwald" 74 

Greenland 75 

Belmont Mansion 76 

Horticultural Hall 11 

"Ridgeland" 79 

"Sweet Briar" 81 

Reed's Map, 1774 84 

Map of Lower Merion and Blockley Townships, 1777 86 

Heston Homestead 89 

The Original "Wynnstay" 99 

Washington's Headquarters, Valley Forge 105 

Home of David Rittenhouse 124 




Lower Merion Township 

OWER ^lERION TOWNSHIP, Montgomery 
County. Pennsylvania, was settled by a company 
of \\'elsh emigrants, from Bala. Merionethshire, 
North Wales, who landed at Pencoyd (Pen-y- 
^^^ coed) on August 14, 1682, two months before 
William Penn landed. They came over on the ship Lyon, 
John Compton, Master. Lower Merion is the oldest town- 
ship in the "Original Welsh Tract." The name Merion 
is derived from Alerionethshire, Wales. (We are told that 
Merionethshire, itself, was named after an ancient Welsh 
hero, Merion, sometimes spelled Meriawn, who lived early 
in the Christian Era.) 

The original 10,000 acres included in what is now 
Lower Merion was granted to John ap Thomas, a noble 
Friend, or Quaker, whose royal pedigree is said to be 
recorded all the way back to Adam (which means, as I 
understand it. where history and mythology meet). The 
document, a copy of which may be seen in the Library of 
the Pennsylvania Historical Society, goes a long way to 
carry out the belief of W' elsh historians that the Welsh are 
the oldest civilized people in the world, and are descended 
from the Phoenicians, Phrygians and Trojans, through 
Brutus, the great-grandson of .T:neas, who landed in 
Britain, 1136, B. C. 

John ap Thomas died in the spring of 1682, before he 
had the opportunity of seeing his vast possessions in 
Merion, but his kinsman. Dr. Edward Jones, who settled 
at Wynnewood, brought the colonists over. Wynnewood 
was named after Dr. Thomas Wynne, who was father-in- 
law to Edward Jones (he having married Mary \\'ynne.) 
Dr. Wynne was friend and physician to William Penn. 
Dr. Wynne was the first Speaker of the first Pennsylvania 
Assembly. 

William Penn and Dr. Wynne came over on the ship 
Welcome two months after the Lyon landed. Dr. Wynne 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

settled in what was afterwards Blockley Township, and 
built "Wynnstay," which still stands, and has lately been 
restored. In Scharf and Westcott's "History of Philadel- 
phia" may be seen a copy of Holme's map, dated 1681. 
Lower Merion appears as "Edward Jones and Co., seventeen 
families." (Holme's map may be seen in the Library at 
Haverford College, Pa.) 

Of the passengers on the ship Lyon no complete list 
exists so far as I have been able to find. \\'ilHam ap 
Edward, in his narrative mentions himself, his wife, and 
daughters, his friends David Jones, Robert David, "and 
others." The Jones record gives "Edward Jones, wife 
Mary, son Johnathan, daughter Martha." 

According to the late Dr. James J. Levick, the follow- 
ing seventeen persons were represented in their families, 
although not all of these seventeen actually arrived with 
the colonists on the Lyon — Edward Jones, John Thomas, 
Hugh Roberts, Robert David, Evan Rees, John Edward, 
Edward Owen, William Edward, Edward Rees, ^^"illiam 
Jones, Thomas Richard, Rees John William, Thomas Lloyd, 
Cadwalader Morgan, John AVatkin, Hugh John, Gainor 
Robert. 

John Thomas, or John ap Thomas, although he organ- 
ized the Company, died on the eve of departure. Evan 
Rees made preparations to emigrate, but for some reason 
did not do so, but he was represented in the Lower Merion 
colony by his son, Rees Evans, w^ho, according to AA'elsh 
custom, reversed his father's name. 

From similarity of dates, as given in Smith's "History 
of Delaware County," and Howard M. Jenkin's "Historical 
Recollections of Gwynnedd" it would seem that David 
James of Radnor, and Robert Turner, also, came in the 
Lyon. Robert Turner was an L'ish gentleman and a par- 
ticular friend of William Pcnn. 

The name Schuylkill is Dutch, and means "hidden 
river." It was named so in 1616 by the Dutch under 
Hendrickson, who, on their first voyage up the Delaware, 
overlooked the mouth of the Schuvlkill, which was con- 




Prawn by M^rg-airet B. Harvey, 



Historic Loiver JMerion and Block/ ey 

cealed by League Island. On their downward passage the 
Dutch navigators noticed the broad stream, and gave it 
the name it bears today. The Indian name was the i)ic- 
turesque one of "Manayunk," which, in spite of its asso- 
ciation with dingy mills and smoke, is worthy a place in 
literature. From the discovery of the Schuylkill, in 1616, 
to the time of the landing of the L\oii in 1682, few white 
travelers had ventured up this stream, except the Swedes in 
their canoes. 

Lower Merion Friends' Meeting House 

Built 1695 — The oldest house of worship) in the State 
of Pennsylvania. 

Lower Merion Friends' Meeting House stands cm the 
Old Lancaster Road (sometimes called Montgomery Pike), 
just beyond Alerionville, formerly "Bowman's Bridge," 
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. This is the oldest 
church edifice, or more properly speaking, house of wor- 
ship in the State, and was erected in 1695, on the site of a 
still older log meeting house, built in 1683. (The organi- 
zation of Old Swedes Church, Philadelphia, antedates that 
of the Welsh Friends of Merion, but the present church 
was not built until 1700, five years after Merion Meeting 
House.) This quaint picturesque structure is in the form 
of a cross. Its walls are made of jointed stone, two feet 
thick, and its window panes are of the small leaded type. 
The coating of plaster (which really disfigures it) was 
added in 1829, when, as a little tablet in the side wall tells 
us, it was "repaired." 

Inside, above the elders' seats, two pegs are pointed 
out as those upon which \\'illiam Penn hung his hat when 
he preached to a Welsh congregation (many of whom could 
not understand him). One of these pegs was stolen by 
a relic hunter during the Centennial celebration in Phila- 
delphia, 1876, but another was made from a piece of the 
original floor, to replace it. Since that time the relic hunter 
became conscience stricken and returned the original peg 
and it now may be seen in its former place. (The peg made 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



from the piece of the original floor was given by the clerk 
of the meeting to Miss Margaret B. Harvey, Historian of 
Merion Chapter, D. A. R., and Miss Harvey, in turn, 
gave it to the writer, and it is still in my possession.) 

The first recorded burial at I^lerion is that of a little 
child, Catharine, daughter of Edward and Mabby Rees, 
October 23, 1682, only two months after the landing of the 
Lyon at Pencoyd. It is known that for some time after the 




Lower Meriox Friends' Meeting House 

The oldest house of worship in Pennsylvania, built 1695 (on the site 

of a still older log meeting house, built in 1683). 

landing, "meeting" was held at the house of Hugh Roberts, 
at Pencoyd. The ground where the log meeting house first 
stood belonged to Edward Rees, the same who buried the 
little child. The land was sold to the congregation of 
Friends for $2.50. Descendants of Edward Rees assert 
that, previous to this year, ground was leased, or loaned, 
and that, if the meeting house should ever be disturbed, 
they could lay claim to it. 

Tust across the field, on the same side of the old road, 
stood, until recently, the old Price (or Rees) homestead, 
9 



Historic Lower JSIerion and Blockley 

used by Lord Cornvvallis as his headquarters during the 
Revohition, while he was in this part of the country. For 
some years this old mansion was used as a summer board- 
ing house and was called "Brookhurst Inn." It was owned 
by the McDowell family, \\niat is now called "Brook- 
hurst Avenue," was the original lane which led from the 
road to the house. Edward Rees had children, some of 




The Price Mansion 
Showing horse block. Now tlie liome of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. ^Mowrer. 



whom were known as Ap-Rees — then Frees. (The Welsh 
prefix Ap means son of, or child of.) In a few" generations 
the spelling has changed to Frice. In the early records 
of Merion Meeting we see "Jane Frees, daughter of Edward 
and Mabby Rees." 

Alerion Meeting is shown on Scull and Heap's map. 
1750. 

On the opposite side of the road stands another Frice 
mansion, a beautiful example of the old-time Fennsylvama 
10 



Pro m 

Scull <^ Heaps 
MAP. 

1750. 






\V, ^r r ^ ' ^ ' 




Mdn-fA a. 

To Merl on\ 7t/e e ti 



n 



% U^illEI ^ Fvr 



Jl 



Ltn^nJ ^ ^-j CcIu 



I. y 



Di^awn tj Margaret B. }ia.rvity' 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

architecture. Here the "horse-block," or stone steps, used 
by the riders in the early days, to mount and dismount 
from their horses, still stands under the wide-spreading 
sycamore trees. These steps were built in the Colonial 
period, and are as ancient as the beautiful old mansion.* 
This place is now owned by Mrs. John A. Mowrer, a grand- 
daughter of William Thomas, who came from Wales in 
1818, and who bought 100 acres of the original Price prop- 




er m-: Thomas Homestead 



erty. William Thomas, when the Pennsylvania Railroad 
was built through his plantation, gave the ground for a 
station which was for a great many years called Elm 
Station. He called it "Elm" for his old home in Wales. 
When he gave the land it was with the understanding that 
it should always bear this name. But this was not done, 
for the railroad officials changed the name to Narberth, and 
the suburban settlement or borough of Narberth now stands 

*Note. — It is very amusing to all old inhal)itants of Merion to 
read in a recent writer's book the assertion that these steps once 
stood at Merion Meeting and were lately moved to this old house. 

12 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

on what was the Thomas place. Thomas's Lane (now 
called Haverford Avenue, which is most confusing, as it 
is frequently mistaken by strangers for the original Haver- 
ford Road (now Avenue) laid out by the Friends in 1690) 
ran from the Old Lancaster Road, almost opposite the 
"General Wayne Tavern," to Elm Station. Later \\'illiam 
Thomas moved to a fine stone house on Merion Road, still 
standing, and occupied by his granddaughters Miss Kate 
Thomas and Mrs. A. Ely Tiley. 

Merion Meeting is mentioned in the Pennsylvania 
Archives, Second Series, Volume XIV, page 221, in the 
Journal of Lieutenant James McMichael: 

"Sept. 14, 9 a. m.. We marched from Camp near 
Germantown, N. N. W. for a few miles up the Great road 
from Philadelphia to Reading, then turning W. S. W. we 
crossed the Schuylkill in the centre between Philadelphia 
and Swedes Ford, 8 miles from each. W^e reached the 
Great road to Lancaster at Merion Meeting-House, and 
proceeded up that road, then we camped in an open field, 
being denied every desirable refreshment." (This was in 
1777, a few days before the massacre of Paoli. On this 
spot a granite memorial stone was erected by Merion Chap- 
ter, D. A. R., September 14, 1896, with interesting and 
appropriate ceremonies.) 

On October 5 and 6, 1895, Merion Meeting held its 
Bi-Centennial Anniversary. Between two and three 
thousand people came from all parts of the country to be 
present at this most interesting celebration. A great tent 
was erected on the greensward, under the tall buttonwood 
trees, with seating capacity for about 1000 people, but this 
accommodated less than half who were present. They 
came early, they came by train and wagon, they rode on 
horses (this was before the day of the automobile), on 
wheels, and they walked, until, as someone said, the fields 
adjoining the old "General Wayne Tavern" looked like a 
big day at a County Fair. (The old horse-block of flat 
stones at the top of the stone wall, unrler the wide-spreading 
13 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

sycamore tree, where the maidens of yore used to dismount, 
still may be seen as it looked more than two centuries ago.) 

The visitors were welcomed to the quaint old house 
of worship, and many valuable relics, such as the original 
deed of ground, dated 1695, and an old marriage certificate 
bearing the date of 1783, were displayed. Behind the 
Meeting House, running across the back of the "General 
Wayne" is the graveyard where many of the early settlers 
of Merion peacefully sleep. (Among them being the Rob- 
erts, George, Williams, Thomas, Jones, Harvey, Evans, 
Zell families.) 

At this celebration many well-known speakers took 
part, among them being Robert M. Janney, Dr. James B. 
Walker, of Philadelphia ; Mary J. Walker, Chester Valley ; 
Rufus M. Jones, Allan G. Thomas and Dr. Frances Gum- 
mere, of Haverford College, and others. The paper by Mr. 
Isaac H. Clothier, on "The influence of the Society of 
Friends Today" was especially interesting. 

Miss Margaret B. Harvey, Historian of Merion Chap- 
ter, Daughters of the American Revolution, wrote an "Ode 
to Merion Meeting House" upon its Bi-Centennial. (It 
was published in the Bryn Mazvr Home Nezvs, September 
27, 1895.) 

Meeting is still held here on First day morning each 
week at 11 o'clock. Many of the most distinguished, in- 
fluential and wealthy families of Pennsylvania are proud 
to claim descent from the grand old forefathers who 
founded Merion Meeting. 

A short distance below stands an old stone house, 
built the same year (1695.) It adjoins the "General 
Wayne," and has always been the property of the Meeting. 
On one occasion Washington slept in the second story 
front room. 

Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the 
United States, was descended from the early settlers of 
Merion. The Welsh stock of Pennsylvania sent numerous 
branches Southward and Westward. This is one reason 
why the annals of the South and West are so full of \\'elsh 
14 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

names. Howard M. Jenkins, in his "Historical Recollec- 
tions of Gwynnedd," gives the following pedigree of Abra- 
ham Lincoln, from John Hanke : 

Abraham Lincoln was the son of Thomas Lincoln, of 
Kentucky, and Nancy Hanks, his wife. 

The grandson of John Hank of Rockingham County, 
Mrginia, who lived in that locality in 1797. 

The great-grandson of John Hank, of Fayette County, 
\'irginia, who was born in 1712. 

The great-great-grandson of John Hanke, of White- 
marsh, Pennsylvania, who was married to Sarah Evans, 
6 mo., 11th, 1711. 

Many Welsh families who first came to Merion fol- 
lowed the Wissahickon to its heights and settled Gwyn- 
nedd and vicinity. For many years Gwynnedd Meeting 
was under the care of Merion and Haverford Meetings. 

Beyond Merion Meeting on the Old Lancaster Road 
stands an old stone house called the "Owen House," built 
in 1695. It was the home of Robert Owen, a noted patriot. 
It is built on a portion of the Wynnewood property. It 
is also called "Penn Cottage." It was once occupied by 
General John Cadwalader, who married Martha Jones, 
daughter of Edward Jones, the founder of \\'ynnewood. 
A straggling settlement nearby was, for many years, called 
"Libertyville," or "Crow Hill." 

"The Welsh Tract" saw the beginning of Pennsyl- 
vania's literature. Wt have a Welsh poem written by 
Thomas Ellis in 1683. Almost as early, Haverford Meet- 
ing ordered the printing of a Welsh book. 

During the Colonial period a number of offices were 
held by Welsh Quakers, many of them connected with 
Merion and Haverford Meetings. Among them may be 
mentioned Thomas Lloyd, Deputy-Governor; Thomas 
Ellis, Register-General ; Thomas Wynne, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives ; Griffith Jones, Mayor of Phila- 
delphia. 

During the Revolutionary period the following 
patriots were descended from the ^\^elsh : John Dickinson, 
15 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

author of the "Farmer's Letters"; Generals John and Lam- 
bert Cadwalacler ; Nicholas Biddle, Clement Biddle, Owen 
Biddle and Edward Biddle, General Anthony Wayne, 
Colonel Samuel Miles and countless others. 

Joshua Humphrey, "Father of the American Navy," 
a descendant of Dr. Thomas Wynne and Daniel Hum- 
phrey, of Bryn Mawr, constructed the vessels which made 
possible our success in the War of 1812. The Mexican 
War was signalized by the bravery of General Taylor and 
General Ringgold, who inherited the Welsh strain from 
the founders of Merion Meeting. 

Coming down to the Civil War, we find among the 
officers known to be descended from the same stock. Gen- 
eral Hancock, General Humphrey and General Thomas. 

Among the poets in whose veins flows the blood of 
Wales may be mentioned George H. Boker, Bayard Tay- 
lor and Thomas Buchanan Reed. 

Among other well-known characters whose pedigree 
can be traced to the Welsh Barony are Daniel Boone, the 
pioneer of Kentucky; Dr. Isaac Hayes, the Arctic Explorer; 
John Jarmon, the first of American Astronomers ; Enoch 
Lewis, the earliest of American Mathematicians ; Grace 
Anna Lewis, the eminent woman naturalist ; Mary Ander- 
son, the actress; Newbold H. Trotter, W. T. Richards and 
George Wright, the artists; Robert J. Burdette and John 
H. Williams, the humorists; Senator M. S. Quay and 
W^ayne MacVeigh. 

The Township of Radnor was also settled by the \\"elsh 
Quakers who came over on the ship Lyon in 1682. The 
Friends at Radnor met in private hovises until 1718. The 
Bi-Centennial Celebration of Radnor Friends' Meeting 
House was held on September 28, 1918. The old horse- 
block is still standing near the door of this quaint structure. 
In 1778, this house of worship was occupied by Continental 
officers, one of Washington's outposts being near the Meet- 
ing House. 

Old St. David's Church, Radnor, was built in 1715. 
The outside stairwav leading to the gallerv was added in 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

1771, and the vestry room, to the north, at a little later date. 
On Sunday, September 1, 1918. this historic church cele- 
brated its 203d anniversary. 

In the little "God's Acre" adjoining, is the grave of 
General ("]\lad") Anthony ^^'ayne, surmounted by a monu- 
ment erected by the Society of the Cincinnati. Another 
noteworthy stone is that over the grave of Dr. Henry Yates 
Carter. He was a surgeon on Lord Nelson's Flagship, the 
Victory, at the battle of Trafalgar, when Lord Nelson w^as 
killed. Dr. Carter later came to America and died here. 

The General Wayne Tavern 

The General Wayne Tavern stands on the Old Lan- 
caster Road (now called Montgomery Pike), adjoining 
Merion Meeting House. This old inn was opened in 1704. 
From that time on, until about twenty-five years ago, the 
"General Wayne" was used as a post office. 

The building is well preserved ; it is a two-story-and-a- 
half house with a porch on the ground floor and a veranda 
running across the front of the second story. 

On the smooth roadway in front stands a tall pole, 
which once had been a giant of the forest, from which 
swings the time-worn sign board. This sign has been 
repainted a number of times, but it is the identical one 
which first announced the opening of "Ye olde General 
Wayne." Across the top are the words "Established in 
1704." In the center, astride what is supposed to be a 
fiery charger, we see a representation of the gallant 
Anthony Wayne (whose ancestral home was only about 
ten miles distant.) Beneath, we are told that there can 
be found "Accommodations for man and beast." At the 
base of the pole a rim of white-washed stones surround 
the little green mound in which it stands.* 

The room that answers as "Ye setting Roome" looks 
about as it did a century ago. Across the ceiling run heavy 
rafters, dark with the stains of time, while the wide-open 



*Since proliibition has been established this sign has been taken 
down (1922). 

17 



Historic Loiver Merion and Blockley 

fireplace with its "ingle-nooks," the high mantel, the quaint 
cupboards, the broad settees, all speak of the past. In the 
wall which divides "Ye setting Roonie" from the barroom 
is a broad, dark, heavy door. This is divided into two 
parts (like a "Dutch door"), the upper part being a little 











The Old General Wayne Tavern 

(Opened 1704), where Merion Chapter held its inauguration, 

April 17, 1895. Washington and Lafayette both slept 

in this old inn on several occasions. 

door of itself. A knock on this is quickly answered from 
the other side; the little door swings open and a beaming 
face appears, Methinks I can see some quiet, dignified 
Quaker in his garb of grey ; some sturdy farmer, with his 
homespun "jumper," or a swaggering red coat tapping on 
this little door, and in reply to the ruddy face which ap- 
pears, ordering something to sustain him after a long and 
dusty ride. 

18 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

From a little entryway a steep pair of stairs leads to 
the second story. The steps, though hard wood, are hol- 
lowed, as though scooped out, from the tread of many feet. 

Washington and Lafayette both slept in this quaint old 
inn on more than one occasion. When, on the way to 
Paoli, Washington's Army encamped within a few hun- 
dred feet of "The General \\'ayne," ^^'ashington slept there 
that night, September 14, 1777. 

The inn was kept for many, many years by the same 
family, the descendants of Captain Llewellyn Young, 7th 
Battalion, Philadelphia Militia, and the Misses Young used 
to conduct the visitor to the room where W^ashington and 
Lafayette slept, with its high "four-poster," little chintz 
curtains and massive chest of drawers. The Young family 
have a rare collection of old Colonial and Revolutionary 
relics, including two quaint old chairs brought from Wales 
in 1692, a money chest, also brought from Wales, apothe- 
cary's scales, and old china decorated with animals. 

Almost opposite the "General Wayne" stands a time- 
worn blacksmith shop. It was here that Lord Cornwallis 
had his horses shod during the Revolution. The shingle 
roof and the woodwork have been renewed, for the shop 
was burned out, but the stone walls, with the old stone 
milepost outside the door, stand as they did more than 
two centuries ago. 

This tavern has always been kept up to the standard 
of the old wayside inn, and is in no way to be confounded 
with the modern saloon. It is considered quite as proper, 
for ladies, while driving, or riding in their automobiles, to 
stop on the broad porch and rest while drinking a cup of 
coffee, chocolate, or cooling lemonade, as it was in "ye 
olden time" when the stagecoach ran down to Philadelphia 
in the morning and back in the evening. The coach 
always stopped at "The General Wayne." and invariably 
took up or set down passengers. This Tavern was first 
owned by Anthony Tunis and is so marked on Scull & 
Heap's map, 1750. It was sometimes called "The Wm. 
19 



Historic Louver Merion and Blockle 



Penn" and "Streeper's Tavern," but was always called 
"The General Wayne" after Wayne slept there. 

Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- 
tion, held its inauguration here in April 17, 1895. The 
members of the Chapter appeared in Martha Washington 
costumes. A fine display of historical implements and 
Colonial relics was a feature of the program. "Revolu- 
tionary Tea" was served in "Ye setting Roome." The old 
hostelry was profusely decorated with flags and bunting, 
while a massive oil painting of Washington draped in red, 
white and blue bunting, with a wreath of laurel suspended 
above it, was hung over the main entrance. 

The Ford Road 

The west bank of the Schuylkill, at the foot of the 
hill above Greenland, in Fairmount Park, in the early days 
was known as "Garrett's Ford." Opposite, on the east 
bank, as "Robin Hood's Ford." In 1824, when the Fair- 
mount Dam was built the water was backed up as far as 
Pencoyd, covering these fords and the Falls of Schuylkill. 
The Ford Road which crossed the river here extended east- 
ward to the Delaware, and westward to the Susc]uehanna, 
on the line of a prehistoric Indian trail. It is the oldest 
road in the State of Pennsylvania. A part of this ancient 
road may be traced in Hunting Park Avenue, and in Nice- 
town Lane, between North and South Laurel Hill Ceme- 
teries, where it reaches the east River Drive. (Here was 
Robin Hood's Ford.) 

The Ford Road can also be traced through the \\^est 
Park from the river to Bala. It came up from the Ford 
in a ravine just above Greenland, and can plainly be seen 
from the Park trolley. It passed "The Lilacs," the old 
Garrett mansion, still standing. A\'hen the Park trolley 
was built and a new and winding drive, to avoid the 
steep hill, was laid out to the trolley bridge at Greenland, 
this end of the road was closed. The Ford Road appears 
again in front of "Brunnenwald," the old stone house used 
as the Drivers' Club House, for the Speedway, passes 
20 



And ]\I ontgomery County, Pennsylvania 

through "W'oodside," out by the "Five Points" School, to 
City Line at Bala. From Bala, through Cynwyd, the 
original roadbed extends along what is now Montgomery 
Avenue, to "Bowman's Bridge." or Merionville. This 
settlement is now almost lost in the constantly-growing 
settlement of Cynwyd. Here it forms one side of the "flat- 
iron," and unites with the Old Lancaster Road — it then 
ran on out past Merion Meeting, through the "\\'elsh 
Tract" to the Susquehanna. 

By the Ford Road William Penn traveled from the 
Treaty Tree, at Shackamaxon, out through his newh^- 
acquired domain with his hidian guides. By this road the 
Pennsylvania Militia, under General James Potter, and the 
Georgia Continentals, under Colonel John ^^'hite, marched 
up into Merion to join the main body of the Continental 
Army in the summer and early autumn of 1777. When 
General Howe threatened an attack, in September, 1777, a 
body of Pennsylvania Militia, under Colonel Jonathan 
Bayard Smith, was set to guard the Ford. 

"Robin Hood Ford" and "Robin Hood Tavern." which 
stood on the Ridge Road, are mentioned in Scharf and 
\\'estcott's History of Philadelphia, in connection with the 
American Revolution. In \'olume I. page v346. it is stated 
that when General Howe, on August 25, 1777, began dis- 
embarking at the head of Elk, with the intention of attack- 
ing Philadelphia, the State Militia was called out immedi- 
ately to defend the city. Colonel Bayard Smith's regiment 
was posted at Robin Hood Tavern on the Ridge Road. 
On page 348, we are told that, during the progress of the 
Battle of the Brandywine, the guard was strengthened at 
Robin Hood and other fords to protect the cannon at these 
points. 

A few days previously \\'ashington encami^ed near 
the Falls. (See Memorial History of Philadelphia. \'ol. 
I, page 345.) 

In writing of old roads Miss Margaret B. Harvey said 
"But we must not think of these old roads as traveled only 
by contending armies. If we fail to think of them as 
21 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

highways of peace and pleasure and profit we shall utterly 
fail to appreciate our Colonial and Revolutionary history." 
When Pittsburgh was the "far West" there were no 
railroads. All goods sent westward were "teamed" over 
the Alleghenies in big Conestoga wagons, some drawn by 
four or six horses. The Old Lancaster Road, and later the 
Lancaster Turnpike, were the great arteries of commerce. 
Over these traveled immense wagon-trains. The "wag- 




CoNESTOGA Wagon 

oner" was a picturesque figure of early days. Thomas 
Buchanan Read, born in Chester County, Pennsylvania 
(and his home marked by the Chester County Historical 
Society), gives us a vivid picture of those same early days 
in his beautiful poem "The Wagoner of the Alleghenies." 
The poem deals entirely with Revolutionary events, and 
the scenes are laid in and adjacent to Philadelphia. 



The Old Lancaster Road 

The Old Lancaster Road is one of the oldest in the 
United States. The land on the west bank of the Schuyl- 
kill, at the Middle Ferry, where the Market Street bridge 
now stands, belonged to the \\'elsh Friends. Almost as 
soon as the City of Philadelphia was founded a Quaker 
Meeting House, known as "Schuylkill Meeting" stood near 
the present site of the Abattoir. In 1690, the Welsh 
Friends of Merion laid out a road from Merion Meeting 
House to the Middle Ferry. The ferry was under the care 
22 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

of the Friends, and they had their own boat. This road 
is now Lancaster Avenue, below Fifty-second Street. It 
curved to the right at "Heston-Villa," coming up over the 
hill at Jesse's George's place. "Heston-Villa" was where 
Colonel Edward W. Heston, founder of Hestonville lived. 

When the Schuylkill Valley branch of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad was built the roadbed below George's Hill was 
changed, and a portion of it was obliterated. 

Wynnefield, a pretty suburban settlement has grown 
up along this portion of the Old Lancaster Road, just below 
City Avenue, and the name of the road, in Wynnefield, is 
now called Fifty-fourth Street. One of the original mile- 
stones still remains, between City and ^^'ynnefield Ave- 
nues. Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revo- 
lution, placed a bronze tablet on it, April 14. 1917. The 
Regent of the Chapter, Mrs. Dora Harvey Develin (the 
writer) said in her address, on that occasion : 

"On the Blockley and Merion Turnpike, as upon all 
early roads, the miles were indicated by milestones. The 
stone we mark today is the sixth on this old roadway. 
Merion Chapter places a tablet here because the City has 
grown up all about it, and we feared that, within a few 
years, the Old Lancaster Road or Blockley and Merion 
Turnpike, would be entirely lost and forgotten in the 
unromantic and prosaic name of Fifty-fourth Street." 

The tablet reads as ft^llows : 



An interesting program was gi\cn. The opening 
address and invocation was by Major Henry A. F. Hoyt, 
23 



Historic Lower Mi 



and Block! 



ev 



D. D,. Chaplain. N. G. P., Retired. The Salute to the Fla^; 
"America ;" historic paper, Mrs. Dora Harvey Develin, 
Regent, Merion Chapter ; Unveiling of Tablet, by Beulah 
Harvey and Louis H. Buck, Jr.. members of the Martha 
Williams Society, Children of the American Revolution ; 
"Red, White and Blue," followed by the Benediction, closed 
the exercises. 




Unveiling Tablet Marking Original ^Milestone 

Reading from left to right — Charles Harvey Buek. Louis H. 

Buek, Jr., and Rheba Harvey, of the Martha Williams 

Society, C. A. R.. and Miss Adelaide V. 

Harvey, of Merion Chapter, D. A. R. 

The Old Lancaster Road, or Blockley and Merion 
Turnpike, also called Blockley and Merion Plank Road, Old 
Conestoga Road, and Montgomery Pike, united with the 
Ford Road just above "Bowman's Bridge," and beyond 
Merion Meeting followed an ancient Indian trail. 
24 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



In 1770 the Lancaster Turni)ike was opened to accom- 
modate increasing traffic westward and to avoid several 
hills and the curves in the Old Lancaster Road. The 
"Pike," as it is familiarly called, began at "Hestonville" 
(Fifty-second Street), where the Old Lancaster Road 
curved to the right and climbed George's Hill. Through 
Lower Merion Township the two roads are close together, 
and run nearly parallel. They join beyond \\'ayne for a 
space, then diverge, but finally come together beyond 
Berwyn. From City Line the Lancaster Pike is now called 
"The Lincoln Highway." Although the Old Lancaster Road 
was laid out in 1690, and was in use for almost a century 
(and the newer road was opened in 1770) it was not turn- 
piked, as a whole, from Philadelphia to Lancaster until years 
later. In 1791. the Pennsylvania Legislature authorized a 
company to construct a turnpike from Philadelphia to Lan- 
caster. This was the first of the kind in this country. In 
June, 1792, subscriptions were taken up in the State House, 
Philadelphia, at $30 each for establishing a turnpike road 
from Philadelphia to Lancaster. The stock was largely over- 
subscribed. As the number of shares for this project was 
limited by law to six hundred, a lottery was instituted, the 
names of all subscribers being put into a wheel and drawn. 
The turnpike was completed in 1796, and a line of stage- 
coaches began running between Philadelphia and Lan- 
caster. 

For several years Lancaster Avenue or the "Pike," 
between Fifty-eighth and Sixty-third Streets, has been 
closed to traffic. The original roadbed beyond Fifty-eighth 
Street curved to the right, passed under the Pennsylvania 
Railroad and wound around through Overbrook to Sixty- 
third Street. The roadbed was straightened and its course 
altered in order to make a direct route from Fifty-eighth 
Street to Sixty-third Street. This newly-made portion of 
the road was completed December 5, 1922. and opened to 
the public with impressive ceremonies. A Floral Gate, 
which crossed the roadway, was thrown open by Mayor 
25 



Historic Lower Merion and Bleckley 

Moore, signifying that the highway was again open to 
trafific. 

The Old Lancaster Road is one of the most famous 
in the country. On this road Cornwallis marched Decem- 
ber 11, 1777, to attack General Potter; and when defeated 
returned by the same route to Philadelphia. In 1781, Gen- 
eral Wayne marched by this road to York on his way to 
Georgia; and again in 1793, on his way to the Northwest 
territory. He encamped near Merion Meeting House, and 
slept in the old inn, which has ever since borne his name. 

From Merion Meeting westward along this "great 
road to Lancaster," on the morning of September 15, 1777, 
the Continental Army marched to Paoli. Congress imme- 
diately "adjourned to Lancaster" September 18th. This 
means that they fled in stagecoaches and on horseback 
along this highway westward. All official documents were 
safely conveyed in large wagons by the same road under 
the direction of Abraham Clark, a signer of the Declaration 
of Independence. 

Lieutenant James McMichael says in his Journal (See 
Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Volume 15, page 
221) "September 14, 1777, we reached the great road to 
Lancaster at Merion Meeting House, etc." The Army 
then encamped in an "open field." This was five days 
before the massacre of Paoli. This camp ground was 
marked by Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American 
Revolution, in 1896. 

The Old Lancaster Road and the Lancaster Pike were 
toll roads until 1917, when the State purchased them. 

On Scull and Heap's Map, 1750, under the "Table of 
Distances" we find the following : 

Garrig's Ferry (Garrett's — at the Ford) -1 — 6. 

Levering's (Where Manayunk Bridge stands) — 7-6 x 

Merion Meeting — 7-5. (Meaning 7 miles and 5 fur- 
longs. 

The seventh milestone is still standing at the inter- 
section of Levering Mill Road and Old Lancaster Road. 
The eighth milestone is beyond Merion Meeting, above the 
26 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

memorial stone marking Washington's Encampment, near 
the Old Gulph Road. These distances are from the "Court 
House." 

The events of Whitemarsh, Barren Hill, Valley Forge 
and the Crooked Billet, transpired in Montgomery County, 
and all that precedes and follows the Battle of German- 
town. Within our limits, during the memorable struggle, 
Washington and his army remained nine months, lacking 
nine days, very probably a longer time than was spent in 
any other county during this period, said William J. Buck, 
of Jenkintown, a well-known historian. The several houses 
used as his headquarters are still standing, and the remains 
of entrenchments, thrown up on our hillsides can be traced 
to this day in many sections. 

Old Gulph Road 

One of the oldest in the State starts from the Old 
Lancaster Road (sometimes called Montgomery Pike, and 
Old Conestoga Road), a short distance above Merion Meet- 
ing and extends to Mill Creek, thence along the creek, and 
on to the Gulph Mills, whence it continues through Upper 
Merion Township to Valley Forge. This road was laid 
out by William Penn, himself, who rode the whole length 
of it on horseback and superintended the erection of the 
milestones. A number of them are still standing. Upon 
each is carved three balls, copied from the Penn Coat-of- 
Arms (these balls have been facetiously called "three apple 
dumplings"). 

Near the ninth milestone, on the left, is an old farm, 
long the property of the Penn-Gaskill family. The Penn- 
Gaskills are said to be the last descendants of William Penn 
to hold any part of his landed possessions in the neighbor- 
hood of Philadelphia. (Several members of this family 
are buried at the Lower Merion Baptist Burying Ground.) 

As we approach Mill Creek, we see the antiquated saw- 
mill belonging to the Robeson family. Up the creek a 
little further we reach the road branching ofif to the left in 
the direction of Ardmore. Here we see an ancient log 
27 



Historic Loiver Merion and Blockley 

cabin, built 1690. The original logs are boarded over to 
preserve them, greatly disguising its age. This cabin was 
at one time occupied by a civilized Indian. Nearby is the 
"Kettle-Mill," believed to be the oldest rolling mill in the 
United States. Here were made the old-time copi)er kettles 
and brass buttons. 

On the right, high ui)on the crest of the hill, stands 
the fine old residence of Dr. R. J. Dodd. It was his wife, 
Mrs. Hannah M. Dodd, who founded the gold and silver 
medals to be given to the two most meritorious graduates 
at each commencement of the Girls' High School. Mrs. 
Dodd also founded several scholarships in the Woman's 
Medical College, Philadelphia. 

The old stone mansion adjoining the Dodd place is very 
historic. Before the American Revolution this was occupied 
by John Roberts, who afterwards became notorious as a 
Tory, and the only person in Lower Merion attainted as a 
traitor — and hanged. John Roberts' property was confis- 
cated. It was afterwards purchased by the patriot Blair 
McClenahan, a meml:)er of the famous City Troop. He 
lived in this old house and his children after him. (Mem- 
bers of this family are buried at the Bai)tist Burying 
Ground.) x-\ stone tablet gives the date 1746, on the old 
grist mill. The initials "I. R. R." stand for John and Jane 
Roberts. 

The Sheetz paper mill was one of the first paper mills 
in the colonies. During the Revolution the Sheetz mill — 
the "Dove Mill," was run by Frederick Bicking, who made 
the Continental notes, or "Shinplasters." In return for his 
services Congress offered Frederick Bicking a tract of 
land in the "Northern Liberties," Philadelphia County. 
Bicking refused to accept "barren commons" — many of the 
finest properties on North Broad Street are built upon these 
same "barren commons." 

The Sheetz paper mill is believed by many to have 

been the first paper mill in the colonies. If not the first, it 

certainly was second. The Rittenhouse paper mill on the 

\\'issahickon was in existence in 1690. In the same year 

28 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

several brothers named Schutz, or Scheetz, arrived in Ger- 
mantown. According to William J. Buck, historian of 
Montgomery County, one of these brothers, Henry, imme- 
diately settled in Whitemarsh. (The late Miss Kate 
Sheetz, who lived all her life in the old house on Alill Creek, 
dying there in 1896, aged 80 years, said that there were 
five brothers. Two of them settled in Merion before the 
Rittenhouses settled on the Wissahickon. Horatio Gates 
Jones wrote a history describing the Rittenhouse paper mill 
as the first. He afterwards became convinced that the 
Scheetzes could claim a few months' priority.) 

In the "Minute Book of Property," Pennsylvania Ar- 
chives, Second Series, Vol. XIX, it is recorded that a 
Scheetz purchased a tract of 500 acres west of the Schuyl- 
kill in 1717. On Scull and Heap's map of 1750 appears 
"Schultz's Paper Mill." At this old mill was made the 
paper for Franklin's printing presses. Later the Govern- 
ment paper, the paper for the Continental notes, and the 
United States bank note paper. At the Dove Mill was also 
made the paper used for Government documents, when the 
United States capital was in Philadelphia. The water- 
mark was a dove with an olive branch. 




>A/'atei- MavK of tllC 01 J 
Dove Mi'Jl Taper. 
Drawn ty Mar^ar^t B.Harvey. 

By leaving the Gulph Road at the tenth milestone, and 
passing up the creek by the ruins of the Dove Mill, and the 

29 



Historic Lower JMerion and Blockley 

beautiful dam in the woods, we reach what was once called 
the Black Rocks.* From prehistoric times the Black 
Rocks were known as the site of an Indian Graveyard. 
The tract was the last Indian reservation in Montgomery 
County. Old residents of Merion, as the late William 
Miles and James B. Harvey, remember seeing Indians 
encamped here and displaying their skill in shooting arrows. 
When white people were present the targets were often 
copper pennies. 

Miss Margaret B. Harvey, a well-known botanist, 
author of "The Flora of Lower Merion," said "The Black 
Rocks" were a curious outcropping of a vein of serpentine. 
(This same vein appears in the Black Barrens near Oxford, 
Pennsylvania, and in the high cliffs on the Potomac, at 
Sheppardstown, West Virginia.) The formations at this 
spot were so fantastic, so strange, so weird, as to remind 
one of all the old legends he had ever read about "Devil's 
^^"alls," and "Ogre's Castles." The wild luxuriant vegeta- 
tion, overrunning the rocky tract, heightened the eft'ect. 

This was a rich botanical locality. Here were found 
thirty-two species of ferns, as many as are known to occur 
in the whole Schuylkill Valley. As many, with the excep- 
tion of about two principal species, as are found on the 
whole Atlantic Seaboard. Among the rare ones may 
be mentioned the "walking fern," or Camptosorus rhizo- 
phyllus, with a rooting tip at the end of its leaf. Some 
years ago Miss Harvey said she found a small specimen 
of the much-discussed Asplenium ebenoides, said to be a 
hybrid between the "walking fern" and the common, little 
black stalked "ebony fern." 

The late Mr. Hamilton Egbert, who lived at the Black 
Rocks, said there were thirty-two kinds of Talc — "just as 
many kinds as species of ferns." 

Now we strike the Old Gulph Road again. It crossed 
the creek by a ford at the Scheetz mansion, and continued 

*Note.— In 1895-1896 the owner of the land where this wonderful 
formation appeared, destroyed, to quarry the stone, one of the most 
remarkable natural curiosities in the whole country — mutilated the 
famous Valley of Mill Creek! 

30 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

up to this point, past the woods skirting the Dove Mill 
Dam. (William Penn's eleventh milestone.) 

At Bryn Mawr the later Gulph Road comes up from 
the Old Lancaster Road and joins the Old Gulph Road at 
this point. Here is the Gulph Mill, where the American 
ammunition was stored during- the autumn of 1777. Here 
General Potter was stationed in November and early 
December of that vear. Here \\"ashington's Armv cn- 




(,T-n>H \lnr Erected 1747 
camped a week before proceeding to winter quarters at 
Valley Forge — from December 12-19, 1777. This spot has 
been marked by the Sons of Revolution. Tablets on the 
Memorial Rock read as follows : 

"The main Continental Army, commanded 

by General George Washington encamped 

in this immediate vicinity from 

December 13, to December 19, 1777. 

Before going into winter quarters at Valley Forge. 

Erected by the Pennsylvania Society of 

Sons of the Revolution 

1892." 

31 



Historic Lower Alerion and Blockley 



On the Ijack towards the mill another Tablet reads: 

"This Memorial to the Soldiers of the Revolution 

stands on ground presented by 

Henderson Supplee 

Owner of the Gulph Mill, erected in 1747." 

"Hanging- Rock" is near the ^Memorial stone at Gulph 
Mills. In 1917, the State Highway Department contem- 
plated removing this historic rock. The following item 
from the daily papers tells us that the project fell through : 

Hanging Rock is Spared 

Norristown, July 12. — District Attorney 
Anderson has been advised by the State Highway 
Department that the opposition which he headed 





Hanging Rock 
against the department's move to demolish the 
historic hanging rock at Gulph Mills has proved 
effectual. The rock will not be removed because 
of its historic connections. 

Gulph Church is over the line in Upper Merion. A 
number of Revolutionary soldiers are buried in the grave- 
yard. 

32 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

The Philadelphia and Western Railway passes through 
the gulph between the hills, and runs close to the Old Gulph 
Road here at this point. A station called ''Gulph" is quite 
near the Hanging Rock. Close to the foot of the station 
steps, going west, stands a fine old mansion. It was not 
there in Colonial times, but is very old, having been built in 
1803. The "plantation" of which it was the "Great House" 
was owned by a famly named ]\Iacfarland. This locality 
was also called Balligo, derived from the longer name Bal- 
ligomingo. Balligomingo was in Upper Merion, but is now 
incorporated in the borough of West Conshohocken. 

Continentals frequently traveled the Gulph Road. ]\Ir. 
Roberts galloped along it on June 18, 1778, to carry the 
news to Washington that the British had evacuated Phila- 
delphia. Down the Old Gulph Road immediately came 
Captain Allan Ale Lane and a detachment of Light Horse 
from Valley Forge, to occupy Philadelphia. He entered 
the city close upon the heels of the departing British. He 
came so quickly, and unexpectedly, that several who lin- 
gered to say adieu to acquaintances were captured by the 
Americans. 

Retracing our course and proceeding down Alill Creek, 
past Penn milestones to the Saw Mill — thence leaving the 
Old Gulph Road and following its newer continuation downi 
the creek, past old-time mills and dams, amid romantic 
landscape beauty, we come to an antiquated village called 
Toddertown. Here was a Revolutionary powder mill. 
operated by Henry Derringer, who is frequently mentioned 
in Pennsylvania Archives and Colonial Records, both as a 
soldier and powder-maker. Henry Derringer was an an- 
cestor of the inventor of the Derringer pistol, and here at 
Toddertown the first "Derringers" were made. (The name 
Toddertown is derived from Todd, the name of relatives 
of the Derringer family, who afterwards lived on the prem- 
ises.) 

If we take the road over Fairview Hill we can pass 
the old family graveyard where are interred the remains 
of Frederick Bicking, the Revolutionary patriot and paper- 

2>2> 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 



maker, who was buried with military honors, also John M. 
Kiihn, another Revolutionary soldier. The land surround- 
ing this has within recent years been acquired by Percival 
Roberts. Mr. Bicking- said in his will that this graveyard 
should not be disturbed, and that there should be a "right- 
of-way" from the road, ^^d-len Air. Roberts bought the 










1 UK Bi( KK\(, Family Gr.weyard 
IMill Creek, Lower Alerion 

old Bicking property, Mr. Frank Bicking, a great-grandson 
of Frederick Bicking wrote asking that he might still have 
the right to visit the old family "God's Acre." 

Air. Roberts answered, giving the desired permission. 

The Old Lancaster and the Gulph Roads constituted 
the most direct route from Philadelphia to Valley Forge. 
It was by this route that the "Ladies' Association," under 
the direction of Mrs. Joseph Reed sent to Valley Forge, 
early in 1778, eight big Conestoga wagons filled with cloth- 
ing for the patriot soldiers. Eacli wagon required six 
mules to draw it. The drivers were all women. 

The Conestoga wagons were first made in Lancaster 
County, and took their name from the fact that the horses 
34 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



used to pull them were bred in the Conestoga Valley. The 
industry was built up by immigration and during the \\'ar 
of 1812 the wagons came into very general use. 

Esther Reed, wife of Joseph Reed, though born in 
England, espoused with heart and soul the cause of her 
husband and her adopted country in the struggle for liberty. 
In 1780 when the destitution of the Continental Army was 
so great that even A\'ashington had fears that it would be 
forced to disband, the women of Philadelphia organized 
for relief, and asked the women of other states to co- 
operate with them. Esther de Bert Reed w^as chosen presi- 
dent of the society and devoted herself unsparingly to the 
work. Material was purchased through the purses of the 
women; jewels and trinkets were sacrificed to raise funds, 
and 2,200 shirts were made for the soldiers. When we 
remember that they were all sewed by hand we can imagine 
how hard these w^omen worked. 

On the 4th of July, 1780, Esther Reed wrote to Wash; 
ington that the subscription fund they had raised amounted 
to $200,580, or £625 6s. 8d. in specie, making the whole 
amount in paper money $300,634. Early in September of 
that year she died from the effects of her unremitting 
labor, ^^'hen her death became known the Council and 
Assembly of Pennsylvania adjourned "to pay their last 
respects to her exalted virtues." 

The Old Black Horse Tavern and Barn 

The old Black Horse Tavern stood until recently on 
the Old Lancaster Road, at the corner of "County Line," 
or more properly speaking. City Avenue, just within the 
borders of Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, 
and upon the historic acres settled by the early Welsh 
colonists who came from Wales in 1682. 

The Black Horse, with its picturesque roof and chim- 
neys, its broad piazzas, its iron-bound shutters and huge 
brass knocker, was almost as ancient as the "General 
Wayne." This estate had been in the family of Jacob 
Stadelman since long before the Revolution. 
35 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 



The "Black Horse" was the scene of a skirmish during 
the exciting times of 1777. With the startling events of 
the Brandywine, Germantown and Paoli following each 
other in quick succession, many minor happenings have 
been lost sight of. Among these were the operations of 




"Black Horse TAVtKN" 

Old Lancaster Road and "County Line," Lower Merion, 

Montgomery County, Pa. Built before the Revolution. 

(Stood opposite to famous "Black Horse Barn") 

General Potter on the west side of the Schuylkill. Blockley 
and Merion Townships suffered greatly from the ravages 
of British foraging parties, and General Potter was kept 
busy in protecting the inhabitants and annoying the enemy. 

A letter written by General Potter is recorded in Vol. 
\^I of the Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, page 97. 
It reads as follows : 

Sir: — Last Thursday, the enemy march out of the City 
with a desire to Furridge ; but it was necessary to drive 
Z6 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



me out of the way ; my advanced picqiiet fired on them at 
the Bridge; another party of one Hundred attacked them 
at the Black Hors. I was encamped at Charles Thomson's 
place, where I stacconed two Regments who attacted the 
enemy with Viger. On the next hill I stacconed three 
Regments, letting the first line knt)w that when they were 
over powered the must retreat and form behind the second 
line, and in that manner we formed and Retreated for four 
miles ; and on every Hill we disputed the matter with them. 
My people Behaved well, espeasly three Regments Com- 
manded by the Cols. Chambers, Murrey and Leacey. His 
Excellency Returned us thanks in public orders ;— But the 
cumplement would have been mutch more substantale had 
the Yalant General Solovan Covered my Retreat with two 
Devisions of the Army, he had in my Reare : the front of 
them was about one-half mile in my Rear, but he gave 
orders for them to Retreat and join the army who were 
on the other side of the Schuylkill about one mile and a 
Half off from me : thus the enemy Got leave to Plunder the 
Countrey, which the have dun without parsiality or favour 
to any, leave none of Nesscereys of life Behind them that 
the conveniantly could carrey or destroy. ^ly loss in this 
Action I am not able to Assartain as yet ; it is not so mutch 
as might be expected. The killed don't exceed 5 or 6; 
taken "prisoners about 20; wounded about 20; with the 
enemy acknowledged the got the worst of this Action; 
there' light hors suffered mutch for they Charged us. I 
am your Excellency's 

most obedant 

Humble Servant, 

Ja. Potter. 

P. S.— His Excellency was not with the Army when 
this unlucky neglect hapned ; the army was on there march 
and he had not come from his Quarters at Whitmarsh. 

Chester County Camp at Head Quarters, Dec. 15, 1777. 

Directed — On Public service, 

His Excellency Thomas Wharton, Esq. 
at Lancaster. 
Z7 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

Thomas Wharton, Jr., was then President of the 
Supreme Executive Council, that is. President of the Com- 
monwealth of Pennsylvania, under the Constitution of 1776. 
General Potter, himself, became Vice-President in 1781. 

During the skirmish the dead and wounded soldiers 
were carried into the Black Horse Barn and laid upon beds 
made from hay. 




The "Black Horse" Barx 

On the old Lancaster Road, corner "County Line," where the 

Pennsylvania Militia under General Potter defeated a 

detachment of Cornwallis' army (during the 

Revolution). The dead and wounded 

were carried into this barn 



From General Potter's letter we learn that the action, 
begun at the Black Horse, was continued throughout the 
greater part of Lower Alerion as far as Conshohocken. 
"Charles Thomson's place" was "Harriton" near Bryn 
Mawr. In fact, this mansion was the original "Bryn 
38 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



Mawr" built by tbe Welsh scholar and preacher, Rowland 
Ellis, in 1704. 

In 1776 Washington caused a bridge of boats to be 
erected over the Schuylkill in order to facilitate the passage 
of his army. It was built by General Israel Putnam. 
There were no bridges over the river at that time, and the 
people crossed by means of ferries, the principal being 
the "Middle Ferry," at the site of the present Market Street 
bridge ; the "Upper Ferry," where the Spring Garden Street 
bridge now stands, and the "Lower Ferry" was "Gray's 
Ferry." The first bridge was built at the "Middle Ferry." 
It was begun in 1801. Completed on January 1, 1805. An 
obelisk now so time-worn that the inscriptions are almost 
illegible, marked the spot where the old bridge stood. This 
bridge was destroyed by fire in 1875. A fine bridge now 
spans the river at this point. 

Some members of Merion Chapter, Daughters of the 
American Revolution, have in their possession a number of 
bullets and grape shot which were plowed up in the fields 
surrounding the "Black Horse" barn. This building is of 
stone, in the old Colonial style, and the end facing the road 
is covered with ivy. On the north side of the barn are 
two massive double doors, with huge iron hinges and a 
heavy iron latch. These open into the barn where the 
threshing goes on in season, just as it did in the days of 
long ago, except that a fine improved thrashing machine 
takes the place of the flails that were formerly swung by 
the sturdy country lads. Behind the barn rises a beautiful 
field of pasture, and from the top of the hill a fine view of 
Philadelphia may be had. During the season of the year 
when the trees and bushes are bare of foliage, a silvery 
thread, winding in and out in the distance, shows where 
the Schuylkill lies— the river over which the enemy crossed 
on the way to Merion. 

On Scull and Heap's map of 1750 appear the names 
of "Stradelman" (at the "Black Horse") and -'Wenn" (at 
"Wynnstay"). 

39 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

On February 13, 1781, a comi)any of Continentals, 
under Captain Joseph McClellan, encamped in the field 
near the Black Horse on the way to York, and went thence 
to take part in General Anthony Wayne's Campaig'n in 
the Southern States. 

Michael Stadelman and \\'illiam Stadelman are both 
mentioned in the "Colonial Records" as "dieting" American 
soldiers. 

In the early days the word "tavern" meant simply a 
respectable family hotel, with entertainment for "man and 
beast." The taverns along the old roadways were like the 
railroad stations of today, with lunch counters. The tav- 
ern keeper in old times was a respected citizen. He often 
was the postmaster, or the County Squire, or the Captain 
of a Company of Militia. 

Along all old roadways we find old taverns usually 
about a mile apart. The "Buck," at Haverford, the "Sorrel 
Horse," at Ithan, and the "Spread Eagle," were beyond 
Merion Meeting, and the "General \\'ayne." (The "Sorrel 
Horse" is now the home of George H. McFadden, but the 
old Tavern is "lost" with the new additions surrounding it. 
A tablet on a bridge crossing a small creek near the house 
bears the following inscription : 

"During" the encampment at \^alley Forge in the 
darkest days of the Revolution, the nearby stone dwelling, 
then the Sorrel Horse Inn, with warm and patriotic wel- 
come, sheltered often as its guests \\'ashington and 
Lafayette." 

From the Journal of Lieutenant James Mc]\Iichael we 
learn that the patriotic army on "September 15. 1777, 
marched out the Old Lancaster Road, past the Sorrel 
Horse and the Spread Eagle, to Paoli." They had en- 
camped, Septemljer 14, near Merion Meeting, and that 
night Washington slept in the old "General Wayne." 

(Another noted old tavern was the "Red Lion," at 
Ardmore.) 

Coming east, down the Old Lancaster Road, the 
"Black Horse" was at County Line, a little further down, 
40 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



"Black Lodge" at the Trasell place, later the property of 
the Gerhard family (now included in Wynnefield.) At 
Hestonville the "White Horse": at Forty-eighth and Lan- 
caster Avenue, where Girard Avenue crosses the "Pike," 
was the "Rising Sun" — now the Union Home for Old 
Ladies. Then Gheen's Tavern at Fortieth Street. Here 
Lancaster Avenue and Haverford Road cross each other. 
Two of the best-know^n taverns on the Haverford Road, 
perhaps, were Whiteside's at Haddington, and one at the 
"Upper Ferry," where it terminated, for many years called 
"Glass' Tavern." The "Wire" Bridge, a suspension bridge, 
crossed the river here. It was replaced by the present one, 
often called the "double-deck" bridge, or the Spring Garden 
Street bridge. The "Wire" bridge crossed where the lower 
span of the present bridge crosses. 

On Market Street (West Chester Pike) the \\'illiain 
Penn and the Lehman House (between Thirty-ninth and 




The Blul Bell Taverx. Huilt 17()i 

Fortieth Street). The William Penn deserves special 

mention, for the reason that from this antique hostelry 

41 



His to 



Lo 



M erion and Blockley 



ran, until about twenty years ago, the last stage leaving 
Philadelphia. It traveled out Market Street to Newtown 
Square and back again, daily. (The last driver was a 
woman.) But the railroads, trolley and the "L" had to 
come, and the last Colonial stagecoach had to go. (The 
Blue Bell, near Kingsessing, not far from St. James' 
Church, at what is now Woodland Avenue, is another 
famous old tavern.) 

"Lilac Grove" 

A stone mansion, one of the best examples of Colonial 
architecture in Pennsylvania, for generations the home of 
the Harvey family, formerly stood on the Old Lancaster 




"LiL..\c Grove" 
The Harvey Homestead. Built 1700 



Road, Lower Merion, immediately adjoining the Latch 
homesteads, just above the "Black Horse" and about a 
quarter of a mile above City Avenue. 
42 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

The old house was in the midst of a beautiful profusion 
of lilacs which gave the place its name of "Lilac Grove." 
Majestic trees, many of them still standing, cast a bewilder- 
ing shade on every hand. They no longer screen the dear 
old stone house, but protect a modern Queen Anne mansion 
from the sun's rays. The western end of the house was 
built in 1700, on the site of a still older log house; the 
eastern end was added in 1762. 

During the Revolutionary period it was occupied by a 
Revolutionary patriot, Richard Jones, a prominent Friend, 
or Quaker, and a member of Merion Meeting. (He is 
buried there.) He was a wealthy lumber merchant, and 
one of the ways in which he served his country was by 
presenting the Naval Board with lumber to build a boat 
for the armed fleet on the Delaware. As he left but one 
son, James, who died unmarried, the property came into 
the possession of his cousin, Margaret Boyle Harvey, 
descended from the same Jones family as James and Rich- 
ard. Margaret Boyle, daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. 
Captain James Boyle, of the Chester County Militia, was 
married to Edward Harvey at Merion Meeting, Sixth 
Month, 16th, 1808. (They are both buried there.) Edward 
Harvey was Squire of Lower Merion for 28 years, holding 
that ofiice at the time of his death, in 1858. 

Margaret Boyle Harvey's mother was Martha Wil- 
liams, of Charlestown, Chester County. During the Revo- 
lution, she with other young girls of that day, put in the 
crops while the men of their families were away fighting 
for their country. She also carried food and clothing to 
the patriot soldiers at Valley Forge. Her grandfather, 
John Williams, and her father, David Williams, were 
soldiers in Washington's Army. (Martha Williams mar- 
ried her teacher, known as "Schoolmaster Boyle." He 
taught in Charlestown before the Revolutionary period, 
and at the Old Eagle School, Treddyffrin Township. 
1812-14. Henry Pleasants, Esq., in his History of the Old 
Eagle School, says on page 67 — "Another of these 'old 
masters' was James Boyle, an Irishman of famed learning, 
43 



Historic Lower Alerioti and Blockley 

known as 'School Master Ehrens.' He is said to have 
had 'high descent' from the Earl of Cork and the Earl of 
Orrery, and to have had decidedly artistic talent. He also 
taught at Old Glassley School on Glassley Commons — 
now part of Devon — and at the Union School near Great 
Valley Baptist Church.") 

The Harvey barn stood on the opposite side of the 
road, next to "Rose Hill," one of the Latch homesteads. 
It is said that at one time, during the Revolution, two 
soldiers, being pursued by a British foraging party, took 
refuge in this barn and hid beneath the hay. The British 
suspected their place of retreat, and slashed through the 
hay with their swords until they found the Americans, and 
tlien mercilessly hacked them to death. These were among 
the unnamed and unnumbered patriots of whom we can 
find no record, but who just as truly gave their lives that 
our nation might live, as any hero whose deeds are re- 
corded on tablets of marble or brass. 

Highland Avenue, which runs parallel with Latch's 
Lane, to Merion Station, was formerly Harvey's Lane. 

The Latch Homesteads 

A short distance above the County Line, or City Ave- 
nue, and adjoining wdiat was the Harvey property, stood 
for many years, two ancient houses. One was built before 
the days of the Revolution, the other early in the last 
century. They were the Latch homesteads. 

Jacob Latch was a soldier in ^\'ashing■ton's Army and 
encamped, when the patriots were in Alerion, at \ alley 
Forge. He obtained a furlough, came home and spent his 
holiday in making shoes for his destitute comrades. But 
tradition tells us he did more than that — he really carried 
dispatches for ^^'ashing•ton. He was known as "Washing- 
ton's Runner." 

The old Latch house on the left hand side of the road, 

going west, was torn down about six years ago and a fine 

group of houses has been built there. The other. "Rose 

Hill," on the right hand side of the Old Lancaster Road, 

44 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

built in Colonial days, is still standing. (The first of the 
Latch ancestors came to America in 1699.) 

The road leading from Merion Station to the Old Lan- 
caster Road is called "Latch's Lane" because it was orig- 
inally the lane leading to these two old-time houses. It is 




The Latch Homestead 



on Latch's Lane that Dr. Albert C. Barnes will erect his 
Art Gallery to contain his wonderful collection of paintings 
and other works of art. 

Edward Biddle Latch, Chief Engineer, U. S. N. (rela- 
tive rank, Commander), and his two sisters were the last 
of the family to live in the Old Latch home. Mr. Latch 
died April 2, 191L {Mr. Latch served on the U. S. S. 
Hartford, Rear Admiral Farragut's Flagship, during the 
Civil War.) 

45 



Historic Lower Alerion and Block/ 



ey 



Seventh Battalion of Philadelphia Militia 

From Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XIII, 

page 590, it is found that in the year 1777, the Seventh Bat- 
talion of Philadelphia Militia was raised in Upper Merion, 

Lower Merion, Blockley and Kingsessing. Following is 

the list of officers. 

Colonel, Johnathan Paschall, Escp 

Lieutenant-Colonel, Isaac Warner, Esq. 

Major, Matthew Jones, Esq. (page 590). 

Colonel, Isaac Warner ; Lieutenant-Colonel, Algernon 
Roberts; Major, Morton Garrett (page 592). 

First Company — Captain Llewellyn Young ; First Lieuten- 
ant, David Young; Second Lieutenant, Isaac A\'illiams ; 
Ensign, A\'illiam Addihl. 

Second Company — Captain, Israel Jones; First Lieutenant, 
Joseph Grover ; Second Lieutenant, Jacob W'ynkoop ; 
Ensign, Richard Thomas. 

Third Company — Captain. John Young ; First I>ieutenant, 
Abraham Strieper ; Second Lieutenant, Aaron John- 
son ; Ensign, Tunis Lee. 

Fourth Company — Captain, Charles Robinson; First Lieu- 
tenant, Nathan Gibson ; Second Lieutenant, Charles 
Justice ; Ensign. Clement Smith. 

Fifth Company — Captain, Samuel Houlston ; First Lieu- 
tenant, Jesse Roberts; Second Lieutenant, ; 

Ensign, Amos Sturgis. 

Sixth Company — Captain, Edward Heston; First Lieuten- 
ant, Peter Ott ; Second Lieutenant, Henry Alexander ; 
Ensign, Christian ]\Iiller. 

Seventh Company — Captain, Benjamin Eastburn ; First 
Lieutenant John Davis; Second Lieutenant, A\'illiam 
George ; Ensign, Moses Davis. 

Eighth Company — Captain, Joseph Jones ; First Lieutenant, 
Peter Rose ; Second Lieutenant, William Rose ; Ensign, 
Isaac Kite. 

46 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



Lower Merion Academy 

Lower Merion Academy was built in 1812. While this 
is not of the Revolutionary period it is one of the noted old 
landmarks of Lower IMerion. It has a broad piazza with a 




Lower Merion Academy 

brick floor and flag-stone steps leading to it. The posts 
are supported at the base by iron pivots. The desks are 
clumsy and heavy while the windows have tiny square 
panes. All these show the age of the building, but the 
hollows in the steps, worn by the tramp of many feet, speak 
most eloquently of its antiquity. 

The Academy was one of the first public schools in 
the United States. It was founded in 1810 by Jacob Jones, 
who left a farm of ten acres for the support of a school at 
which a certain number of pupils should be educated free 
of charge. The Academy was a genuine Academy with a 
47 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

classical course. It was a boarding school with day 
scholars. The teacher was allowed the use of the dwelling 
and grounds in return for his tuition of the free scholars. 
From the beginning there was no distinction as to sex. 

But the question of caste soon made troul)le. The 
"free scholars" w^ere looked down upon, so much so that it 
was at one time seriously proposed to erect a separate 
building for the "poor scholars." But the friends of the 
institution decided that this would defeat the intention of 
the founder's will, the first purpose of which was to provide 
free education. (The difficulty was adjusted by doing 
away with the paid scholars.) 

The first teacher was Joshua Hoopes, a Friend, who 
resigned rather than contend with the strife between "paid" 
and "free" scholars. He afterwards went to A\'est Chester 
where he successfully conducted a Friends' school for many 
years. He was a noted botanist, and a friend of Darling- 
ton's. 

John Levering came next. He it was wdio made in 
1851, a most admirable map of Lower ^lerion. As a local 
antiquarian he was quite remarkable. 

Another early teacher was ]\Iiss Lydia Coggins. Miss 
Coggins lived to be 97 years old, dying in 1912. She is 
buried in West Laurel Hill within a few miles of where 
she spent her entire life. 

But no one can speak or think of the Lower Merion 
Academy without calling to mind Mr. Lsrael Irwin, who 
was head master, or principal for twenty-five years. 

Many scholoars from the Academy afterwards became 
known to the world, among them being Charles Xaylor, 
Representative in Congress from Philadelphia, 1840; 
Joseph Fornance, Representative in Congress from Mont- 
gomery County, in the early 40's (this is the Congressman 
who sent Winfield Scott Hancock to West Point) ; Prof. 
James Rhoads, of the Boys' Central High School. Phila- 
delphia; Rev. James Rush Anderson, D. D. ; Dr. Richard 
Jones Harvey, who graduated from the University of Penn- 
sylvania in 1832, one of the California pioneers of 1849. 
48 



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And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

Algernon Roberts, of the Pencoyd Iron Works, and George 
B. Roberts, who was President of the Pennsylvania Rail- 
road for many years before his death. 

The ground upon which the Academy stands rises 
above the picturesque ravine known as Rock Hollow. It 
was up this road that the Americans passed out Meeting 
House Lane to reach the Old Lancaster Road to the place 
where they camped, near Merion Meeting House, Sep- 
tember 14, 1777. 




The Old Mill 

Rock Hollow, Lower Merion, where the Continental money 
was destroyed 



Down Rock Hollow, on the banks of the winding 
stream known as Rock Creek, stands an old ruined mill. 
This, during the Revolutionary period, was Lloyd Jones' 
paper mill. After the Continental paper money had so 
depreciated in value as to become utterly worthless, it was 
called in by our young Government and destroyed at this 
51 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

mill. From this spot in Lower Merion, then, started the 
still popular phrase, "Not worth a Continental." 

In 1914, a fine up-to-date school house was built on the 
Academy grounds, facing Levering Mill Road. But the 
old building still stands as it has for more than a Century. 
The new school was made necessary because the settlement 
of Cynwyd has grown to such proportions within the last 
few years, that the old school house w^as too small to accom- 
modate all the pupils. Howard M. Jenkins tells us in his 
"Historical Recollections of Gwynedd" that Joseph Foulke. 
of Gwynedd (b. 1786) a minister of the Quaker faith who 
taught at Friends' School at Plymouth, and later (1818) 
established a boarding school for young men and boys at 
Gwynedd, said, in referring to the small salaries paid, "The 
free school of Montgomery, however, was more popular. 
The salary paid there $160 a year, secured more competent 
teachers than any other school. I can remember when a 
teacher's pay was from a dollar to ten shillings per quarter 
for each scholar and he obtained his board by going about 
from house to house among his employers, and it was a 
remark that people would trust a teacher to instruct their 
children to whom they would not lend a horse." The "free 
school of Montgomery" was the Old Academy. 

The Columbia Railroad 

The Columbia Railroad, the precurser of the Pennsyl- 
vania system, was one of the first in the United States. 
(In 1823 John Stevens secured a charter from the Penn- 
sylvania Legislature to construct a railroad to Columbia, 
but he did not succeed in raising sufficient funds to build 
it. A new Charter for the road was granted in 1826, 
repealing the former one, but nothing came of this, and it 
was not until 1828 that the road was begun. In 1832 
portions of it were completed, and cars ran. In 1834 the 
road was finished, and opened through to Columbia, and 
the "Black Hawk" was placed upon it.) 

The Schuylkill \'alley branch of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad at Bala runs on part of the old Columliia Rail- 
52 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



road. The roadbed continued east, from what is now Bala, 
down Conshohocken Road, between the catalpa trees, past 
the Methodist Orphanage and Home, and through Fair- 
mount Park — the trolley running on part of it — to the 
Schuylkill, below Belmont Hill, at the site of the Old 
Columbia Bridge (opened in 1834 — the new concrete bridge 
was built in 1919). The railroad started at Broad and 
Vine Streets and crossed the river at this point. Going in 
the other direction, from Bala, the Columbia Railroad 
continued from the deep cut along the Ford Road to 
"Bowman's Bridge" — named for a bridge over this rail- 
road — then out along the Old Lancaster Road past Merion 
Meeting House to Ardmore, where the roadbed became 
continuous with the present main line of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad. 

The course of the old roadbed can frequently be traced 
by blocks of stone abandoned along the way. Some of 
these blocks may be seen at the Junction, Park Trolley, 
near the Methodist Home. Also between the Bala and 
Cynwyd railroad stations, where the bed of the old railroad 
may plainly be seen; also at Parson's corner, where the 
Ford Road joins the Old Lancaster Road. And on the prop- 
erty of A. C. Shand, Jr., in Narl)erth, there are six stone 
blocks undisturbed, in their original position. In early 
days there were no ties used, but the rails were bolted into 
stone cubes, planted in the ground. The first cars to run 
on iron rails were not drawn by steam engines, but by 
mules. Just below Bala was an inclined plane by which 
cars were raised and lowered between the Columbia bridge 
and the high ground. The first train over this railroad 
drawn by a locomotive was in 1834 — the engine, as I said 
before, was called the "Black Hawk" — and the train ran 
to Lancaster in about eight and a half hours. Engines 
were not used entirely until several years later. 

"Bowman's Bridge" was a well-known settlement. It 
was at the Ford Road, near where it ran into the Old Lan- 
caster Road that the bridge was built. This was on a part 
of the land granted to Roger Bowman in 1798. An old 
53 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

deed transferring the property from Joshua Bowman to 
William Potts and John Wainwright begins the descrip- 
tions as follows : "Beginning at the bridge leading across 
the railroad, thence on the line of said railroad, etc." The 
portion of the property sold to William Potts was called 
"Juniper Bank." John Wainwright's place was named 
"Elm Hall." About thirty years ago General Wendell P. 
Bowman, a lineal descendant of Roger Bowman (who 
came to America from England in 1754), bought this place 
from the Wainwright heirs, so it once more belongs to 
the Bowman family. A toll gate stood for more than two 
centuries at "Bowman's Bridge," later called "Alerionville ;" 
also "Academyville" because Levering Mill Road, which 
leads to the Old Academy begins there. The old toll gate 
was removed in 1917 when the Old Lancaster Road was 
taken over by the State. 

Memorial Stone 
Erected by Merion Chapter, D. A. R. 

On September 14, 1777, Washington's Army encamped 
on a field just above Merion Meeting House, on the Old 
Lancaster Road. (This was five days before the bloody 
massacre of Paoli.) 

Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- 
tion, unveiled and dedicated a memorial stone to mark this 
spot, on September 14, 1896, the one hundred and nine- 
teenth anniversary of the day, in the presence of five or 
six hundred people. 

The ceremonies began at 2.30, \\\X\\ patriotic airs by 
the \\'yoming Band of Philadelphia, stationed on a plat- 
form draped with American flags. The Regent of Merion 
Chapter presided and made some introductory remarks, 
which were followed by a prayer by the Rev. Charles S. 
Olmstead, then rector of St. Asaph's P. E. Church, Bala, 
and afterwards Bishop of Colorado. 

Hon. Jacob \A'eidel. who was Mayor of Reading at 
that time, delivered a short address. Miss Margaret B. 
54 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



Harvey, Historian of the Chapter, read an historical paper 
in which she specially referred to the day spent by Wash- 
ington's Army in Lower Merion. 

Then the Regent unveiled the stone, while Battery A 
of Philadelphia, under command of Captain M. C. Stafford. 




ON THIS AND ADJACENT ■ 
fiROUHOWASHIHCTON'SARMY '^M 
MCAMPED SEPTEMBER 14,1777. ¥^ !|^^ 

'^T" BY MERION CHAPTER --* 



^^^^^^mmstrnm^mimm^. 



■' ■-: «r* 



with thirty men, fired a national salute of forty-five guns, 
and the band played "The Star-Spangled Banner." Fol- 
lowing the unveiling Major Moses Veale delivered the 
oration. 

55 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

The stone is a rough granite pillar, four feet high, two 
feet wide and two feet thick. The face towards Montgom- 
ery Pike (as that part of the Old Lancaster Road is now 
called), is polished and on it is cut the following inscrip- 
tion : 

On this and adjacent 

ground Washington's army 

encamped September 14, 1777 

Erected by Merion Chapter, 

Daughters of the American 

Revolution, September 14, 1896. 

Ground presented by 
Samuel R. McDowell 

Camp Ground of the Georgia Continentals 

During the summer of 1777, the North Carolina troops 
under General Francis Nash, encamped in "Governor 
Penn's Woods," which means "Lansdowne" in West Fair- 
mount Park. Governor Penn's house stood where Horti- 
cultural Hall now stands. General Nash was killed at the 
Battle of Germantown. In the diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, 
of Philadelphia (1765-1798), published by his great-grand- 
son, Jacob Cox Parsons, of Brooklyn, N. Y., one entry says, 
"June 30, 1777— Found the Schuylkill staljles filled with 
light horse; visited also Gov. Penn's Woods to see the 
Camp of the North Carolina Troops." 

The Continental Army occupied lx)th l^anks of the 
Schuylkill from the Middle Ferry (where the Market Street 
bridge now stands) to the Falls. The main body under 
General Washington was encamped near Queen Lane. 
This spot has been marked by the Sons of the Revolution. 

The Georgia troops under General Lachlin ISIcIntosh 
took part in the campaign about Philadelphia. During the 
summer of 1777, the Fourth Battalion, under Colonel John 
White encamped in the open fields where Cynwyd and Bala 
now lie. The inspiration to mark this spot is due to Merion 
Chapter's Historian, the late Margaret B. PLirvey, A. ]\L 
56 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



In the Third Smithsonian Institution Report, of the 
National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, 
Washington, D. C, 1901, page 235, appears the following: 
"Miss Margaret B. Harvey, Historian of Merion Chapter, 
copied an orderly book and several letters, the work of 
Revolutionary soldiers, and sent them to the State Librar- 
ian at Harrisburg, Pa., to be embodied in the Pennsylvania 
Archives. While working on these Archives she found 
that a Battalion of Georgia Continentals, under Col. John 
White, were encamped near Bala, August, 1777. Step by 
step she has followed those ragged, footsore men through 
many musty manuscripts and pages of history, wherever 
she could find a trace of them, picking up a name here and 
there, until she has gathered up 2,609 names. Such inde- 
fatigable work undertaken for the glory of another state 
than her own is rare. She believes that those early pioneers 
whose bones are moldering on many fields far distant from 
their homes will rise up against her on the day of Judgment, 
if she omits one name which any possible research might 
have revealed and saved to posterity." 

Becoming interested in these same Georgia Conti- 
nentals, Miss Harvey continued her work for Georgia and 
compiled the first Archives that state ever possessed. 

In the Pennsylvania Archives, second series, Vol. Ill, 
'page 103, we find that on August 15, 1777, "A Petition of 
divers Inhabitants of the Townships of Alerion and Block- 
ley" was sent to His Excellency, Thomas Wharton, Jr., 
Esq., President of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 
complaining that the soldiers from Colonel White's Bat- 
talion of Georgia troops encamped in the Townships were 
overrunning their fields, and taking their fruits, etc. The 
closing paragraph says: "We have, moreover, the addi- 
tional apprehension that as the Indian corn, which is a 
principal support of the Farmer and his cattle, is drawing 
to a state of maturity, in a few days, we may be deprived 
thereof." The letter was signed by every property holder 
in the locality. They were as follows: 
57 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

Algernon Roberts, Anthony Tunis, Thomas George, 
Richard Tunis, Lewis Thomas, Nehemiah Evans, David 
George, Edward Roberts, Wni. Stadehiian, John Zell, David 
Zell Abr am Streep er, Jno. Roberts, Jacob Jones, Isaac 
Lewis, John Robinson, James Jones, Jr., Rees Price, Robt. 
Holland, Silas Jones, Paul Jones, Amos George, Jesse 
Thomas, Abel Thomas, Anthony Levering, John Leacock, 
John Smith, James Jones, Bostine Eals, Rudolph Latch, 
Lawrence Trexler, Jesse Jones, Michael Smith, Anthony 
Warner, Martin Garrett, Jno. Price. 

Many of these names are found on the rolls of the 
Pennsylvania Militia. These were the men who went out 
to fight in an emergency, then came home to gather their 
crops and were ready to be called again should necessity 
require. It seems natural that ihey should resent the idea 
of their fruits and grains being taken during their absence, 
and also cjuite as natural for the soldiers to help themselves 
to the fruits in the vicinity. The majority of these men 
were Friends, and are buried at Merion Meeting. 

John Leacock, one of the signers of the petition, we 
are told in Scharf and Westcott's "History of Philadel- 
phia," Vol. I, page 265, "set up a lottery in ye Township 
for ye cultivation of ye vine." (His place was always 
called "The Vineyard." The old house is still standing 
close to the Schuylkill A^alley branch of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad, between Bala and Cynwyd stations.) As the 
soldiers were encamped in these fields in August, and the 
grapes would be ripe in September, we can well under- 
stant John Leacock's anxiety for the safety of his vines. 
From the minutes of Radnor Meeting, 10th, 5th, 1776, page 
456, Isaac Warner, Col. 7th Battalion- Algernon Roberts, 
Lieutenant Colonel of same; Isaac Kite, Jr., and Richard 
Thomas were dismissed from the Society of Friends for 
bearing arms. (They were afterwards reinstated.) 

On February 22, 1919 (Washington's Birthday), at 
4 P. M., Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revo- 
lution, unveiled a l>ronze tablet on the lawn of St. John's 
58 



dnd Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



P. E. Church, Cynwyd Lower Merion, marking this camp 
ground. The program was as follows : 

Opening Address and Invocation — Major Henry A. F. 
Hoyt, D. D., Chaplain, N. G. P. (Retired), Rector 
of St. John's P. E. Church, Lower Merion, Pa. 
Salute to the Flag : 

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag, and to the 
Republic for which it stands — One Nation, indivis- 
ible, with Liberty and Justice for all." 




Inscription 

During the Revolutionary War 

The Georgia Continentals Commanded ey 

General Lachlin McIntosh took Part in the 

Campaign about Philadelphia. The Fourth Battalion 

Under Colonel John White Encamped upon this and 

Adjacent Ground, in August, 1777. 

Tablet Erected by Merion Chapter, Daughters of the 

American Revolution. 

1919 

59 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 



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60 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

"America." 

Historic paper — Dora Harvey Develin (Mrs. John F.) 

Regent of Merion Chapter, D. A. R. 
Unveiling of Tablet — Mrs. S. Harold Croft, Mrs. 

Spencer Wright, Jr., and Miss Jane I. Magee, 

(lineal descendants of Nehemiah Evans, one of the 

signers of the petition). 
'•Red, White and Blue." 
Rev. Leighton W. Eckard, a great-grandson of General 

Lachlin Mcintosh, made a short address, which 

was very interesting. 
Benediction — Chaplain Harry Leo, of the Loyal Legion. 
The flag used at the ceremonies is one of the Chapter 
"Flags of 1776" and was made by the thirteen charter 
members in 1895. 

"Harriton" 

"The Welsh Tract" not only included the 10,000 acres 
granted John ap Thomas and Edward Jones. On Holme's 
Map of 1681, the part of Lower Merion near the Schuylkill 
is marked "Edward Jones and Co., 17 families." Further 
westward are two tracts marked "Rowland Ellis and 
Thomas Ellis," both being in the neighborhood of the pres- 
ent Bryn Mawr. 

Rowland Ellis was a great scholar and a preacher in 
the Society of Friends. He is said to have been a descend- 
ant of King Henry HI of England. He settled on his 
plantation about 1686. In 1704 he built a substantial stone 
mansion still standing. (This afterwards became the prop- 
erty of Charles Thomson.) This, with its surrounding 
acres, he called "Bryn Mawr," or "Great Hill," after his 
early home in Wales. 

The property passed into the hands of Richard Har- 
rison, a wealthy slave holder, who named the place "Harri- 
ton." Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental 
Congress, married for his second wife, Hannah Harrison, 
and became the master of "Harriton." After Secretary 
Thomson retired from public life he spent many years at 
61 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

"Harriton" in making a translation of the Bible. He died 
in 1824, aged 95 years. At his death the property returned 
to his wife's kindred, the Morris family, who still hold it. 

In the woods near the Baptist Cemetery, is the Harri- 
ton family burying ground, enclosed by a stone wall. A 
tablet in the wall records the fact that here were once 
interred the remains of Charles Thomson, Secretary of the 
Continental Congress. 

AMien Laurel Hill Cemetery was opened, Charles 
Thomson's nephew and other professed admirers, removed 
the patriot's remains surreptiously, and re-interred them 




"Harriton," (the original, Bryii Alawr) 
Built 1704 



in the new burial ground. To remove Secretary Thomson's 
body was trespass, as to reach the family burying ground 
it was necessary to cross private property ; but as the Morris 
family were Friends, they felt bound to follow the doctrine 
of non-resistance. Hence they ne\er demanded the return 
62 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



of the body. But Mr. George Vaux, of Philadelphia, whose 
summer home is at "Harriton," is doubtful whether the 
trespassers succeeded in finding the right body. 

More than forty years ago Mr. Vaux and his wife 
erected the historical tablet now in the wall, as well as the 
one with name and date on the outside, which tablets are 
inscribed on two sides of a single block of stone. Mr. 
Vaux also prepared the inscription from reliable family 
papers. The interior tablet took the place of an earlier 
one, which contained a shorter and more imperfect inscrip- 
tion. 

Thomas and Rowland Ellis were nephews of the emi- 
grant John Humphrey. A great part of Bryn Mawr is 
built upon what was the Humphrey Land-grant, including 
Bryn Mawr College and Bryn Mawr Hotel; while the 
settlement now known as Bryn Mawr has grown around 
the old-time village of Humphreyville. Bryn Mawr Col- 
lege was founded by Dr. Joseph W. Taylor, of Burlington, 
N. y., and is under the care of the Society of Friends. 

Old Dutch Church, Ardmore 
This little stone building was erected in 1787. This 
date appears on two quaint tablets set in the wall. The 
gable end turned away from the road is the more pictur- 
esque, as it shows the grey pointed stone. This old church 
succeeded a log building erected in 1769. A larger stone 
edifice was built in front of this little one in 1800. This 
was torn down in 1873 and a new church erected on Lan- 
caster turnpike, on ground given by Charles Kugler. 

The proper name of the "C)ld Dutch Church" is St. 
Paul's Evangelical Lutheran. It was organized before 
1765. From Col. Bean's "History of Montgomery County" 
w^e learn that the first communion was held in 1767, in 
which forty-three persons participated. The founders of 
the church were William Stadelman, Frederick Grow, 
Stephen Goodman, Christopher Getzman, George Bassler 
and Simon Litzenberg. 

63 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

From the Pennsylvania Archives, second scries, Vol. 
II, we find that William Stadelman, of Germany, was 
naturalized April 11, 1762; Stephen Goodman, April 1, 
1763. The patriot paper-maker, Frederick Bicking, of Alill 
Creek, was naturalized April 1, 1763. 

The Lutheran communities of Montgomery County, 
were settled north and westward from Lower Merion, 
through the central townships to the Berks Count}- lines. 
The Germans in those early days were intensely loyal, the 
Muhlenberg family conspicuously so. 

During the Revolutionary \\'ar the Dutch Church, near 
Ardmore, met with many reverses. There was a divided 
sentiment in the community, some of the congregation be- 
lieving in the Quaker and Mennonite doctrine of non- 
resistance, just as we see in many sections today (1918). 

The church had been founded a great many years 
before there were regular preaching services. Among those 
who preached in the old church was the famous Rev. Dr. 
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, of the Trappe. The old 
graveyard in wdiich both soldiers of the Revolution and the 
War of 1812 are buried, has been in use for more than 150 
years. (The German language was used in the church 
service until 1858.) At various times school has been 
"kept" in this old church. A curious tulip design is carved 
over the door of this quaint little building. 

Lower Merion Baptist Church 
Lower Merion Baptist Church was founded in 1808-9, 
by Rev. Horatio Gates Jones, D. D. It is an ofifshoot of the 
Great Valley Baptist Church, of Treddyffrin, founded by 
Welsh Baptists in 1710. Rev. Horatio Gates Jones was a 
son of Rev. David Jones, pastor of the Great Valley Baptist 
Church during the Revolutionary period, and Chaplain of 
\\'ashington's Army. Rev. David Jones named his son 
after the victorious General Gates. 

Rev. Horatio Gates Jones was the pastor of the Lower 
Merion Baptist Church for forty-four years. He died in 
1853, aged 77. His two sons, well-known in public life, 
64 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

were Charles Thomas Jones and Horatio Gates Jones, of 
Roxborough. His daughter, Miss Hetty Jones, made a 
noble record as an Army nurse during the Civil \\'ar. The 
Hetty Jones Post, G. A. R., of Roxborough, was named in 
her honor, and a notable monument to her memory may 
be seen in Leverington Cemetery. 



65 



PART II 

Early History of Blockley 



LUCKLEY and Mcrion Townships were both in 
Philadelphia County prior to, and during, the 
Revolution. In fact, Montgomery County was not 
separated from Philadelphia County until 1784. 
Norristown, the County seat of Montgomery 
County, noted this event in its Centennial celebration in 
1884. (Hon. Joseph Fornance was President of the Mont- 
gomery County Centennial Association, and F. G. Hobson, 
Esq., was Secretary. James B. Harvey was Chairman of 
the Auxiliary Committee of Philadelphia, with the follow- 
ing members : Saunders Lewis, of Ambler ; Miss Elizabeth 
Croasdale, Hon. John Wanamaker, Ex-Governor J. F. Hart- 
ranft, William M. Singerly, General \\\ B. Thomas and 
Horatio Gates Jones.) 

Blockley extended from the neighborhood of the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania and the Almshouse, up along the 
Schuylkill to Pencoyd. City Avenue was its western 
boundary. Blockley took in all of Haddington, being 
separated from Delaware County by Cobb's Creek. South- 
ward it touched the old Swedish township of Kingsessing. 
On Holme's map of 1681, Blockley is included in the 
"Liberty Lands," or lands unsettled and outside the City 
plan. On the eastern bank of the Schuylkill, the territory 
from Vine Street to the AMssahickon and Germantown were 
afterwards known as "Northern Liberties." 

When we say "Blockley" most people think of the 
Almshouse, but "Blockley" as applied to the Almshouse is 
simply a survival of a name. "Blockley Baptist Church" 
is another. The Old Lancaster Road was called for many 
years the "Blockley and Merion Turnpike, or Plank Road." 
A portion of wdiat is now Sixty-third Street, West 
Philadelphia, was called "Blockley Avenue." "The Block- 
ley Library" was in the old Hestonville Hall, Fifty-second 
66 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

and Lancaster Avenue. "Blockley Post Office" in the 
antiquated store which stood at Lancaster Avenue and 
Paschall Street (now Master Street). "The Blockley Brass 
Band" afterwards called the Washington Cornet Band, 
was quite a noted band in its day. 

The first settler who "penetrated the wilds of Blockley" 
was William Warner, of Blockley, England. He was a 
resident as early as 1677, having arrived before the great 
influx of either Welsh or English colonists. William 
Warner built his house on what afterwards was Forty-fifth 
and Westminster Avenue. He named his plantation 
"Blockley" after his home in England. (The writer remem- 
bers, when a school-girl, often passing the quaint brick 
structure, with shingled pediments, and overhanging por- 
tico, similar to what is popularly called "Queen Anne." 
This was the Warner Homestead.) He landed at Upland, 
now Chester. His title was confirmed by William Penn. 

John Warner, a brother of William, soon followed 
him, coming over with Penn, and settled nearby. Both 
were members of the first Pennsylvania Legislature, along 
with Thomas Duckett (keeper of the Middle Ferry.) 

The Speaker of the First Pennsylvania Legislature 
was Dr. Thomas Wynne. (See "WYNNSTAY.") So we see 
that Blockley was settled by the English coming up from 
Chester, by way of the Swedish settlement of Kingsessing, 
and by more Welsh coming down from Merion. 

On Scull and Heap's map of 1750 appear the following 
names of principal landowners in Blockley : Warner, Mere- 
dith, Wenns (Wynne), Jones, Roberts, Garrig (Garrett). 
A large part of the property held by these families is now 
included in West Fairmount Park. 

From the letters of William Penn, Gabriel Thomas and 
others, we learn that the woods of Blockley were majestic, 
but not savage. They were picturesque, but not densely 
tangled. The Indians kept them particularly cleared so 
that it was possible to travel long distances through the 
country without paths, yet without meeting with serious 
obstacles. 

67 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

The name Garrig later was called Garrett. Charles 
V. Hagner's "History of the Falls of Schuylkill" says this 
family was of Swedish origin and claimed a considerable 
strip of territory along the western bank of the Schuylkill, 
from the old Columbia Bridge to the Falls. Opposite 
Laurel Hill was Garrett's Ford. (See Fords and Ford 
Road.) 

The first general tax-list for Philadelphia County was 
made in 1693. The original assessment list is in the pos- 
session of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. It is 
copied entire in the "Memorial History of Philadelphia," 
by John Russell Young (see page 123). Below is the 
assessment for townships "Beyond the Schoolkill." The 
assessor was Thomas Pascall, Junr. 

William Smith, i250, 10s., lOd. 

Paul Sanders, £100, 8s., 4d. 

John Gardner, £20, 2s., 6d. 

Johnathan Duckett, £100, 8s., 4d. 

Thomas Duckett, £100, 8s., 4d. 

John Roads, £120, 10s. 

William Powell, £100, 8s., 4d 

John Albore, £ — , 6s. 

William Wilkins, £50, 4s., 2d. 

James Keight, £10, 3s., 4d. 

William Warner, £120, 10s. 

John Warner, £40, 3s., 4d. 

John Boles, £150, 12s., 6d. 

Georg Scottson, £60, 5s. 

John Scootson, £120, 10s. 

William Bedward, £30, 2s., 6d. 

Thomas Pascall, £150, 12s., 6d. 

George Wilcox, £170, 14s., 2d. 

The tax was assessed under the Act of the Assembly 
in 1693, during the administration of Governor Fletcher. 
It was entitled "An Act for Granting to King William and 
Mary the rate of one penny per pound upon the clear value 
of all real and personal estates, and six shillings per head 
upon such as are not otherwise rated by this Act, to be 
68 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

employed by the Governor of this Province of Pennsylvania 
and territories thereof for the time being towards the sup- 
port of this Government." 

Thomas Duckett and William and John Warner we 
have already mentioned as first settlers and prominent office 
holders. James Keight, whose name is also spelled in other 
old records Keite, and Kite, w^as a son-in-law^ of \\'illiam 
Warner. Also an early member of Schuylkill Friends' 
Meeting. John Roads was an ancestor of the late Professor 
James Rhoads of the Boys' Central High School, Phila- 
delphia. The Rhoads property was near Haddington, not 
very far from the Delaware County line. 

William Powell was an ancestor of the Powell family, 
wdio built the old "Powell Mansion" and gave the name 
to Pow^elton Avenue. "Powell's Ferry" was near the old 
mansion, a short distance below the Spring Garden Street 
bridge. The name Powell is an abbreviation of the Welsh 
name "ap Howell." The prefix ap meaning a son of, or a 
child of. The name William Bedward appears in the list 
above. This name is a contraction, or abbreviation, of 
A\'illiam ap Edward. He was a Quaker preacher and lived 
in what is now "Overbrook Farms." He was one of the 
AA'elsh of ]\Ierion who crossed over into Blockley, and an 
ancestor of Jesse and Rebecca George. According to 
Welsh custom the eldest son reversed his father's name — 
so William Edward had a son named Edward William. 
(The s was gradually added as a possessive, to take the 
place of ap. This explains such Welsh names in Pennsyl- 
vania as Roberts, Edwards, Richards, \\'alters, etc.) 

The name of Duckett, Warner, Kite and others, all 
early members of the Schuylkill Friends' Meeting, appear 
on the records at the Friends' Meeting House, Fifteenth 
and Race Streets, Philadelphia. Mary Warner, daughter 
of William A\'arner, married Thomas \\'ynn, grandson of 
Dr. Thomas A\ ynne. 

Thomas Duckett, clerk of Schuylkill Meeting, and a 
member of the First Pennsylvania Assembly, died of fever 
in 1699. 

69 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 



I'ennsylvania from the beginning was an agricultural 
State. The great land holders built solid stone mansions 
and lived in the midst of their broad acres, cultivating their 
own "plantations." This section of Pennsylvania never 
had the ignorant, stupid, loutish farmers, of wdiich we read 
so much in stories and novels. The old families of Penn- 
sylvania are all able to point to some old stone farmhouse, 
in some old county, as the cradle of their American clans, 
for the very good and historic reason that the first pur- 
chasers took up large tracts of land and laid out plantations. 
The \\'elsh were stone masons and wherever they settled 
they built their houses of stone. In New England, where 
stone is plentiful, we see frame houses because those who 
settled New England were carpenters by trade. 

Among the old mansions of Blockley, still standing, 
and outside Fairmount Park, ma}- be mentioned the Wynne 
mansion, or "Wynnstay" (recently restored), near Bala; 
the Joseph George mansion, Overbrook (now a fashionable 
school for girls) ; the Jesse George mansion, near George's 
Hill, close to the Schuylkill Valley R. R. (now fast falling 
to decay) ; the David George and Edmund George mansions 
in the same neighborhood, and the Amos George mansion 
on the Christ Church Hospital property. Another old man- 
sion on the same property is now used by the Rabbit Club. 

In 1708 Richard George, with his wife, Margaret, and 
many children, arrived from Wales. Richard purchased a 
portion of the Wynn tract in Blockley. Some of his chil- 
dren settled near him, others proceeded to Chester County. 
His descendants intermarried with the descendants of 
Willian ap Edward. In this way the Georges became pos- 
sessed of a large tract near Overbrook, as well as George's 
Hill. 

The best-known members of the George family were 
the philanthropists, Jesse, Rebecca and Joseph. This last 
founded the George Industrial School. Jesse and his sister 
Rebecca, perpetuated their name in their noble gift of 
eighty-one acres to Fairmount Park. They also founded 
the George Institute and Library, Hestonville. 
70 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



The Georges were quite numerous and all lived to be 
very old. Christ Church Hospital, a home for old ladies, is 
built on a portion of the George estate. The lofty steeple 




IliiME ol- JKS^K AMI KkIIKCCA GkoRCE 

Still standing 

of this fine old building can be seen from many points in 
Blockley and Merion. This is one of the oldest institutions 
of the kind in the country. It was founded by Dr. John 
Kearsley long before the Revolution, in a house on "Church 
Alley," opposite Christ Church. The hospital was removed 
to the new buildings in Belmont in 1854. The term "hos- 
pital" is still used in a colonial sense, meaning not merely a 
refuge for the sick, Init a "house of entertainment." Dr. 
Kearslev, the founder, was the architect of Christ Church. 



West Park 

No history of Blockley Township would be complete 

without particular mention being made of West Fairmount 

Park, which is included in old Blockley. This vast pleasure 

ground extends along the Schuylkill from City Avenue at 

71 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

Pencoyd, to Fairmonnt Dam, and iDeyond. The portion of 
Fairmount Park, and the grandly romantic and picturesque 
Wissahickon on the east bank of the Schuylkill (with its 
stories of mystics, hermits, poets, Indians ; its old monas- 
tery, its luxurious foliage, a harbor for many rare birds ; 
its cascades and gorges), is in what was, before the city's 
consolidation, the "Northern Li1)erties" and Roxborough 
Township. 

]\Iany noted historic spots are included within the West 
Park, among them a number of old-time mansions. We are 
deeply indebted to the late Charles S. Keyser, Esq., for the 
preservation of much of the historical lore connected with 
the Park. 

The Centennial Grounds. — Here the one hundredth 
anniversary of the nation's birth was celebrated in the sum- 




AIemokial Hall 
One of the buildings erected for the Centennial Exhibition of 1876. In it 
may be seen a fine collection of objects of art, and antiquities, includ- 
ing the famous Wilstach Art Collection. The building is of white 
marble, 365 feet long and 210 feet wide. 

72 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



mer of 1876. The grounds are in the West Park, extending 
from "Lansdowne" to George's Hill, and bounded on the 
north by Behnont, and on the south by Girard and Elm 
(now Parkside) Avenues. These were part of the 5,000 
acres granted in 1681 to Dr. Thomas Wynne, of Caerwys, 
Wales, friend and physician of William Penn. A portion 
of the same land was presented to the city of Philadelphia 
by Tesse George and his sister Rebecca in 1868. 

" The Garrett Mansion.— In the West Park near the Falls 
of Schuylkill nuw called "The Lilacs." The Garrett family 
are of Swedish descent, their ancestor being one Garretson, 
who came to Delaware at an early date. The Swedes set- 
tled at Wilmington in 1683, and claimed both banks of the 
Delaware River as far north as Trenton, and both banks 
of the Schuylkill as far as Reading. The domain consti- 
tuted "New Sweden." AVilliam Penn recognized the claims 
of the Swedes to ownership in the land. The Welsh who 
settled Lower ^lerion and Blockley, in the summer of 1682, 
made friends with their Swedish neighbors. The Garrett 
family retained their plantation up to the time that the city 
of Philadelphia acquired it for park purposes. In extending 
the park the city became possessed of a number of old 
Swedish and Welsh land claims. At the time of the Revo- 
lution the Garrett mansion was occupied by Captain, after- 
wards Major, Morton Garrett, of the Philadelphia County 
Militia. The Ford Road passed up from Garrett's Ford, 
which was just at the foot of the hill below "The Lilacs." 

Brunnenwald.— This old mansion stands on the crest of 
Cedar Hill, in the West Park, long the property of the Ott 
family. The Otts were of German origin. The Germans, 
under Francis Daniel Pastorious, settled Germantown in 
1683, thence spread into the neighboring townships of Rox- 
borough, Blockley, Lower ^vlerion and up the Schuylkill 
Valley. They were among the best citizens Pennsylvania 
ever had. their record being quite as creditable as the Welsh 
and Swedes. At the time of the Revolution, Brunnenwald 
Farm was occupied by Lieutenant Peter Ott. of the Phila- 
delphia County Militia. 

7Z 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 




\^.h 



1 rx 



, 



"Bruxxexwald" 
Faces the Speedway and is used as a club house by the Road Drivers' Asso- 
ciation. During the Revolution it was occupied by Lieutenant Peter Ott, 
of the Philadelphia County ^Militia. 



Mount Prospect. — In the West Park, oxcrlooking the 
Falls of Schuylkill, now called Chamoitnix. part of the old 
Swede domain of Swan Lums, long the property of the 
Johnson family. In this old mansion resided for a time 
Robert Morris, son of the Revolutionary financier, Robert 
Morris. The younger Morris well nigh impoverished him- 
self in the attempt to make glass. 

Greenland. — In the West Park, on the slope of Cedar 
Hill, thence extending to the river l^ank ; once part of the 
Garrett and George properties. (Here the trolley bridge 
now crosses the Schuylkill.) The house is Imilt in the saiue 
solid style as the George houses in Blockley. From the 
Revolutionary period down to the time of its accjuisition b}- 
the city, "Greenland Farm" was held l)y the Craig family. 
James Craig, a meiul^er of this family, was a soldier in the 
famous Philadelphia City Troop, in 1778-79. The troop 
still exists, and is said to l)e the oldest military organiza- 
tion in the United States. 

74 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



Belmont or Peter's Farm.— In the West Park, near the 
Columbia bridge. In 1745 William Peters of Yorkshire, 
England, purchased the property from the widow of Daniel 
Jones, a descendant of the early Welsh. Here were l)orn 
Richard and Thomas, the sons of William Peters. At the 
outbreak of hostilities with Great Britain William Peters 
returned to England, but his sons espoused the cause of the 
Colonies. Richard was the illustrious judge Peters — 




As it looked before the back buildings were removed 
and alterations made. 

patriot, wit, poet, scholar and Statesman — a captain in the 
Philadelphia County Militia and Secretary of the Board of 
War and a friend of Washington. Judge Peters performed 
many acts of service to his country. After the war he went 
to England to induce the high dignitaries of the established 
Church to confer Episcopal Ordination upon the Rev. Wil- 
liam White, of Philadelphia, in which mission he was suc- 
cessful, thus becoming one of the founders of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church in America. 

Richard Peters was the first President of the Pennsyl- 
vania Agricultural Society, and introduced many improve- 
ments in farming. In 1782-83 he was a member of Congress, 
75 



Historic Lo 



ir e r 



Mi 



and Block! 



ey 



and from 1789 until his death on August 22, 1828, U. S. 
District Judge of Pennsylvania. 

Thomas Peters was a soldier in the Philadelphia City 
Troop. Belmont Mansion still stands on a high eminence 
in West Park, commanding a beautiful view of the Schuyl- 
kill. The Peters coat-of-arms, in stucco, still adorns the 
dining-room ceiling. A stone slag set in the wall, on the 
north end of the old library bears the letters, J. \\\ P. 1745. 
In 1794, September 11-20, a troop of Pennsylvania ]\Iilitia 
encamped at Belmont, on the way westward to suppress 
the whiskv insurrection. 




Belmont Mansion 
Built 1745 

Near the mansion is a white walnut tree which Lafa- 
yette planted during his visit in 1824. It is enclosed with 
an iron railing. On the broad field lying back of the house, 
near Belmont Avenue, stands a magnificent walnut tree 
planted by Washington. 

The Belmont plateau is a favorite site for military 
demonstrations today. Here was held the Historical 
Pageant, October 7 to 12, 1912. Here, during the World 
War, a great demonstration urging the sale of Liberty Bonds 
and War Savings Stamps was held at which several noted 
opera stars sang, while aeroplanes flew overhead (1918). 
76 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



Tom Moore's Cottage. — A small, low, stone structure 
on the river bank at the foot of Belmont Hill, once part of 
the Peters property. A winding pathway leads down 
through the "glen" to the River Road near this spot. The 
Irish poet, while a guest of Judge Peters, played hermit for 
a short time, by secluding himself in this cottage. Here he 
wrote a number of poems, among them those beginning 
with lines, "Alone by the Schuylkill a wanderer roved," and 
"I knew by the smoke that so gracefully curled." 





'■'^^'^'^MiMm 



Horticultural Hall 

One of the buildings erected for the Centennial Celebration of 1876. 

This great conservatory is 380 by 190 feet. It is 55 feet high. 

The collections show plants from all parts of the world, many 

of very rare character. 

Lansdowne. — Upon the spot now occupied by Horticul- 
tural Hall, in the West Park, stood the residence of John 
Penn, grandson of William Penn, and the last royal gover- 
nor of Pennsylvania. Although a Tory, he was not at all 
aggressive, and spent the last years of his life in Pennsyl- 
vania, dying in 1795. The name "Lansdowne" is derived 
from John Penn's English title of Lord Lansdowne. Wash- 
ington visited Ex-Governor Penn at Lansdowne, in 1787, 
during the sitting of the Constitutional Convention. After 
the death of John Penn this estate became the property of 
William Bingham, the well-known patriot. During the 
77 



Historic Loicer Alerion and Blockley 

Re\olution he was agent of the Continental Congress in the 
West Indies; afterwards captain in a troop of dragoons; 
also Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 
and United States Senator. His wife was Ann, daughter 
of Thomas Willing, member of the Continental Congress, 
and the Supreme Executi\'e C(»uncil. Joseph Bonaparte, 
Ex-King of Spain, li\ed at Lansdowne in 1816. 

The last owner of the place, l^efore it passed into the 
hands of the Fairmount Park Commissioners, was Lord 
Ashburton, whose family name was Baring, the noted 
bankers. (Baring Street, which winds through a portion of 
West Philadelphia, once known as Hamilton \'illage, was 
named for this family.) Lord Ashburton, with Daniel 
Webster, arranged the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, which 
fixed the 49th parallel as the northwestern l)oundary of the 
United States. 

Camp Ground of the North Carolina Battalion. — Early 
in July, 1777, the North Carolina troops, under General 
Francis Nash, encamped at Lansdowne. The Continental 
Army then occupied both banks of the Schuylkill, from the 
Middle Ferry (Market Street) to the Falls. General Nash 
was killed at the Battle of Germantown, (October 4, 1777. 

Camp Ground of the British. — While the British held 
Philadelphia, 1777-177^, one of their camp grounds extended 
between Lansdowne and George's Hill, in the West Park, 
that is, Avhere the Centennial Exposition was held — where 
the overthrow of the British was destined to be celebrated 
nearly a hundred years later. (The English, evidently bear- 
ing no malice, Ijuilt a ''Queen Anne" house in the Park for 
that celebration, and after it closed presented the house to 
the city. It still stands and is used as a guard head- 
cjuarters.) 

George's Hill. — A commanding eminence in the West 
Park, a part of the large tract of land presented to the city 
by the Quaker philanthropist, Jesse George, and his sister, 
Rebecca George. The George property was a portion of the 
Wynne tract, but it passed into the hands of Richard 
George, of Wales, in 1708. (Near the foot of the Hill, just 
78 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

outside the Park, close to the Schuylkill Valley branch of 
the Pennsylvania R. R., the old George mansion still stands 
(1918), but it is fast falling to ruin.) There were several 
other old mansions in the vicinity, of the same substantial 
style, once held by various branches of the George family. 
During the Revolution the Georges were patriotic. Jesse, 
an ancestor of the later Jesse George, was a member of the 
Committee of Correspondence. William George was a 
Lieutenant in the Philadelphia County ]\Iilitia. John 
George was another patriot of the name. 




"KlUoELAMi 

Another old-time mansion in the West Park, above Behnont Glen, 
near Belmont Mansion. 



Jesse George died in 1872, aged 90 years. His sister 
Rebecca, a few years younger, died in 1869. 

The State in Schuylkill.— In May, 1732, a fishing club 
located itself at Eaglefield, which is just above the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad and Girard Avenue Bridges, West Park. 
The club was called the "Colony in Schuylkill," and rented 
an acre of ground from William Warner, whom the mem- 
bers dubbed "Baron Warner," in order that "he might 
properly receive their homage." The organization was 
79 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

kept up until the outbreak of the American Revolution, 
when, as the members of the club were all eminent patriots, 
the name was changed to the ''State in Schuylkill." Among 
those eminent patriots were Samuel Morris, Thomas 
Wharton, Thomas Mifflin, John Dickinson and Richard 
Peters. The Philadelphia City Troop was largely an out- 
growth from the "State in Schuylkill." The club still 
exists, although located on the Delaware, in Bucks County. 
It is believed to be the oldest social organization in the 
world. The club has always been famous for its good 
dinners. The gentlemen, themselves, act as cooks. They 
are said to possess a great number of secret recipes, which 
have been handed down from Colonial and Revolutionary 
times, and which have been tested by the most illustrious 
warriors and statesmen of those periods, and later enter- 
tained as guests. It is accepted as a fact that the organiza- 
tion wielded a great influence in behalf of the American 
Independence. John Dickinson, author of the "Farmer's 
Letters," did more for the Colonies than did any other one 
individual. 

Fort St. Davids, founded by the AVelsh, was an- 
other fishing club, with a clubhouse, or "Castle," on the east 
side of the river above the Falls. This was afterwards 
merged in the "State in Schuylkill." Near the original home 
of the latter-named club stands a mansion known as "Sweet 
Briar." This was Iniilt after the Revolution by Samuel 
Breck who resided there for more than fifty years. He Avas 
a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and one of the 
framers of the bill providing for the establishment of 
l)ublic schools. 

Solitude. — Now the Zoological Garden, which is, itself, 
part of the A\'est Park. The mansion, still standing, was 
erected by John Penn, a nephew of Governor John Penn. 
The younger John Penn was a poet and philosopher. This 
house and grounds were among the last pieces of property 
80 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



held in Pennsylvania by the Penn family, who retained it 
until purchased by the City for park purposes. 

Shad Fisheries.— Before the Fairmount Water AVorks 
and dam were built, the Schuylkill was as famous for its 
shad as the Delaware now is. The breast of the dam pre- 
vented the fish from ascending- the river, hence the fish- 



I i i |-i I Bii 




"Sweet Briar" 

The villa built by Samuel Brecht in 1797. and occupied by him until 1838. 

It is just below the Fortieth Street entrance to the West Park on Lans- 

downe Drive. Nearby, facing Girard Avenue, is the Letitia House, 

the original home of William Penn. It formerly stood on Letitia 

Street near Second and Market Streets. In 1899 the house 

was carefully taken down and removed to the Park. 

eries were abandoned in 1824. One of the best-known 
shad fisheries was at Willow Point, at the foot of Green- 
land Hill, below the Ford. For many years it was oper- 
ated by Jacob Sorber, who was, during the American 
Revolution, an Ensign in the Philadelphia County Militia. 
Several other fisheries were at the Falls of Schuylkill. The 
most noted was the one conducted by Godfrey Shronk, also 
a Revolutionary soldier. The descendants of Godfrey 
81 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

Shronk still claim a "hshery right/' ^vhich in early days 
was considered property quite as much as real estate. The 
claim, however, is of no value today, as there are no longer 
any shad, and the river banks are within the Park limits. 

Roberts' Hollow.- — A romantic piece of woods, partly 
within the West Park, and extending along the river bank 
to the City line at Pencoyd, for more than two hundred 
years in possession of the Roberts family, descendants of 
Hugh and John Roberts, who were among the Welsh emi- 
grants. The old mansion stood until recently. Here resided 
in 1704, Edward Roberts, one of the first mayors of Phila- 
delphia, and a son of Hugh Roberts, the eminent Quaker 
preacher. At the time of the American Revolution the 
place was occupied by the patriot Phineas Roberts, who 
was one of a committee to purchase clothing for the relief 
of soldiers' wives and children. To the same family be- 
longed Lieutenant-Colonel Algernon Roberts, Lieutenant 
Jesse Roberts and Lieutenant Robert Roberts, all of the 
Philadelphia County Alilitia. A Mr. Roberts, of this 
family, carried to Washington, at Valley Forge, on the 
morning of June 18, 1778, the news of the British evacua- 
tion of Philadelphia, thus enabling the Americans to follow 
promptly and defeat the enemy at Monmouth. 

The Monument Road. — The Old Monument Road ex- 
tended from what is now Forty-ninth Street and Lancaster 
Avenue, crossed the Pennsylvania Railroad, thence up 
through West Fairmount Park, then out into Montgomery 
County, terminating near Manayunk Bridge. For years 
the main entrance to "Belmont" or Peter's Farm, was a 
lane leading oft' the Monument Road, near the present 
North Wynnefield. This road, which ran diagonally from 
Forty-ninth and Elm (now Parkside) Avenue, passing 
where the English Building now stands in the West Park, 
was partly obliterated when the Centennial Grounds were 
laid out. At the present time (1918) a portion of it appears 
82 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



at North Wynnefield, ending at the Christ Church Hospital 
Grounds. Again, starting at Behuont Avenue, it runs be- 
tween the Methodist Home and the School for the Deaf and 
Dumb, past the "Five Points," crossing City Avenue and 
continuing to Righter's Ferry Road, at one of the entrances 
to West Laurel Hill Cemetery. 

From the Revolutionary period until about 1860-65 
there stood at the point where Peter's Lane left the old 
road, a rough stone monument or obelisk. This rugged 
obelisk was scarred and seamed ; it bore no inscription, and 
wdiat it really commemorated was somewhat of a mystery. 
Some say Judge Peters erected it in memory of the horses 
killed during the Revolution; others, that it was to mark 
the spot where he first met his future wife, and still others, 
that it merely indicated the entrance to "Belmont," his 
country place. However, the monument was there for 
generations, and this old roadway was, and still is, called 
the "Monument Road" for that reason. 

Reed's Map 

John Reed made a map dated 1733, not published until 
years later. This came between Holmes' map of 1681, and 
Scull and Heap's of 1750. The list of landholders in 
Blockley and Kingsessing as recorded on Reed's map is as 
follows : 

Swan Lums, 400 acres ; John Bowie and T. Scotsink, 
400 acres; Wood and Sharlow, 100 acres; Wm. Wood, 400 
acres; Jon Winn, 214 acres; W^m. Peters, John Simson, Ed. 
Martin, Wm. Smith, T. Parsons, Wm. ]\loore, Jno. Warner, 
David George. John Warner, Wm. Orien, Wm. \\^arner, 
Geo. Scotson, Jona Winn, Edward Jones, Burz Foster, Wil- 
liam Bedward, alias Edward, David Jones, William Warner, 
Israel ]\Iorris. John Simcock, Richard ]\Iarsh, Wm. Smith, 
William Powell, Barnabus Wilcox, Thomas Duckett, E. 

Pritchard, Maris, Francis Ficher, Haverford Friends, 

83 




I)i-3-wn by Marg'dvet B, Harvey 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



P. England, John Bristol, Benj. East. John Waight, Thomas 
Lloyd, Dan'l Humphrey. \Vm. Herns. John Gee and Co.. 
Wm. Brown, Peter Coke, Peters I\Iord, Thos. Paschall, 
Saml. Richards. James Peter. John Chambers. B. Chambers, 
Richard Peirce & Co., Edward Penington & Co., John Ball, 
Pearson Watson, Wm. Cuerton, John Marshall, James 

Richard, James, Richard Haynes, George Shore, G. 

Ashmead, D. Deweling, S. Bulkley, I. B. Fen, A. Roads, 
Francis Smith, Saml. Allen, John Ward. Allen Foster, Penl 
Lehman, R. Webb, Hugh Roberts, George x\sh])ridge, 
Joseph Pike, Thomas Wickersham, Thomas Woolrick, Wm. 
Roberts, Hana Alusgrove, Phil Howell, Thos. Reese. Dan. 
Thos, Abiah Taylor, Benj Furlow, R. Hart. 

Swan Lums' 400 acres included all the land from City 
Avenue along the Schuylkill to near Chamounix. or "Mount 
Prospect," now in the West Park. John Bowie and J. 
Scotsink's 400 acres, the West Park opposite the Falls of 
Schuylkill and Laurel Hill. Wood and Sharlow's 100 acres 
and William Wood's 400 acres, that part of the Park adja- 
cent to the Peters and Wynne property. Jonathan Wynn, 
William Peters, John Simson, Ed. ^Martin. Wm. Smith, T. 
Parsons, Wm. Moore, John Warner and David George 
owned tracts of various sizes in what is now that part of the 
Park near to and including the Centennial Grounds. 

John Warner, William Warner and William Orien 
owned the greater part of West Philadelphia, between the 
Park and Kingsessing. 

Out near Overbrook, Haddington, and City Line the 
landholders were Johnathan Winn. George Scotson, Edward 
Jones, Buz Forster, William Bedward, alias Edward (ap 
Edward) and David Jones. Several thousand acres were 
divided among these six men. 

Other landholders lived near the boundaries of Dela- 
ware County, all of these following names being located in 
the neighborhood of what is called on this old map "Mill 
85 



Yvo rn 

177 7- 



,ScKee"t 2 




Drawn by Marg-are t B. H arve y 



And ]\I ontgoniery County, Pennsylvania 

Creek, or some of its branches." Peter Coke, Thomas 
Paschall, Samuel Richards, James Peter, John Chambers, 
B. Chambers, Edward Penington and Co., A. Rhoads, 
Abiah Taylor, Benj. Furlow, R. Hart. 

Peter Coke, also called Cock, and Cox, was a Swede. 
The above-mentioned William Orien or Urian, was also a 
Swede. The Swedish Church of St. James, Kingsessing, is 
still standing- on the Old Darby Road, near Sixty-ninth 
Street, in the midst of a graveyard filled with Swedish 
names. (The Revolutionary General, Isiah Harmer, is 
buried there.) 

The "Mill Creek" on this map is Cobb's Creek. This 
name was given it from an early English settler. The 
Indians called it Karakung. The Swedes named it Mill 
Creek. An old mill once stood near the Blue Bell Tavern, 
where the Darby Road crosses the Creek. 

The name "Mount Joy" appears on Holme's map of 
1681. It is in Letitia Penn's Manor of "Mount Joy," the 
first draft of what afterwards became Valley Forge Camp 
Ground, "^^'elch Tract" as shown on Holme's map includes 
Tredyfifrin township in the Great \"alley, now called the 
Chester Valley. Southeastward are the Welsh townships 
of Radnor and Haverford. Lower Merion township com- 
prises the area between Radnor and Haverford on the west- 
ward, and the Schuylkill on the eastward. Holme's map 
is dated 1681, but was not finished until 1683. 

The "Liberty Lands" included old Blockley township, 
Philadelphia County, now a part of the built-up portion of 
West Philadelphia. Below the "Liberty Lands" was the 
marshy township of Kingsessing settled by the Swedes. 

Scull and Heap's map of 1750 shows a goodly portion 
of Lower ^Merion and Blockley. with the old roads and the 
houses of the principal landholders of that period. In 
the northeastern corner of the map, about the A\'issahickon 
Creek, is a section of old Roxborough township, afterwards 
a part of the battleground of Germantown. 

Reed's map was published in 1774, but it really belongs 
to a much earlier period, as it accompanied his list of "First 
87 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

Purchasers." The greater part of the map here shown 
represents Blockley, bounded on the northwest by Lower 
Merion, on the northeast and east by the Schuylkill, which 
separates it from Roxborough towmship, the Northern 
Liberties and the City of Philadelphia; south by old King- 
sessing- township (in Avhich is Gray's Ferry) ; on the west 
and southwest by Mill Creek (also called Cobb's Creek), 
which separates it from Darby township, Chester County 
(now Delaware County). This map shows the first roads 
and names of residents living about 1700 and a little later. 
Among these appears the names of some of the original 
Swedish landholders as well as the Welsh and English. 

Faden's map of 1777 is founded on the survey of Scull 
and Heap. In addition to Scull and Heap's names it 
gives "Gov. Penn," then living at Lansdowne, in what 
is now West Fairmount Park. Also, the "Schuylkill Com- 
pany," afterwards the "State in Schuylkill" fishing club, 
which became a patriotic organization wielding a power- 
ful influence in behalf of American Independence. This 
map was published the same year that General Washing- 
ton's army marched through Lower and Upper Alerion to 
A^alley Forge. 

These four maps give a fairly complete representation 
of the whole region west of the Schuylkill, from its mouth 
to Valley Forge, and for a period beginning with the survey 
ordered by William Penn in 1681, and ending with the year 
1777, when the patriot army encamped at Mount Joy. 

"Hestonville" 
And Colonel Edward W. Heston 
Hestonville. — A village founded prior to the American 
Revolution, by Edward W. Heston. His homestead, the 
original "Heston Villa," stood near what is now Fifty- 
second Street Station on the Pennsylvania Railroad. A 
portion of the property is still in the possession of the 
family. Colonel Heston's daughter. Mrs. Louisa Heston 
Paxson, was born there in 1801. She died in ]\Iarch, 1898, 
aged 97 years and 4 months. 

88 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

Eclward Heston volunteered his services at the begin- 
ning of the Revolutionary War and went out as Captain of 
the Sixth Company, Seventh Battalion of Philadelphia 
Militia. He later became Lieutenant-Colonel. He was a 
son of Jacob Heston, of Wrightstown, Bucks County, Penn- 
sylvania, and the grandson of Zebulon Heston, who landed 
at Barnstable Bay, Massachusetts, in 1699. 




Heston Homestead 
Built 1766. Torn down 1877 



Colonel Heston died on February 14, 1824. aged 79 
years. His obituary, which appeared in the Saturday Eve- 
ning Post, February 21, 1824, says: 

"It was to Colonel Heston that General Potter, with, 
perhaps, his whole brigade (then lying near the Gulph), 
owed their liberty, if not their lives. When Cornwallis left 
his quarters in Philadelphia, intending to take General 
Potter by surprise, he marched at the head of five thousand 
men, crossing the Schuylkill during the latter part of the 
night. Colonel Heston being on the alert, had lodged that 
night a short distance from home. About daybreak the 
enemy was discovered approaching near his farm, through 
89 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

which they had to pass, !:>}' a man whom he had stationed 
there as a watch. They advanced and took the Colonel's 
horse with them. The watch immediately conveyed him 
the intelligence. The Colonel then fled on foot to one of 
his neighbonrs, borrowed a horse, and rode by a circuitous 
route with all possible speed, until he got ahead of them. 
He soon arrived in Potter's camp, and found them 
just going to breakfast. At the request of General Potter, 
who was then in his Alarcjuee, he ran through and aroused 
the whole camp io arms, and then went to meet General 
Washington, who, with his Army, he met crossing the 
Schuylkill at a ])ridge which had just lieen completed for 
the purpose. 

'Tn consequence of the intelligence he l^rought, the 
Americans moved their quarters and the British had the 
mortification to miss their anticipated conquest. 

"The day previous to the Battle of Germantown, he was 
one among others who, in consummation of a plan laid 
down by Washington, to cut off the enemy's retreat from 
Philadelphia, went to the Middle Ferry and assisted in 
cutting away the rope which then extended across the river, 
notwithstanding there was a continual fire from the enemy 
on the opposite bank, etc." 

Colonel Heston was later captured by a troop of British 
horse and taken to Long Island, where he was held for 
seven months as a prisoner of war. After the close of the 
war he was elected to the State Legislature, some years 
later was appointed as Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia. Later, 
elected to the office of Senator. 

In June, 1896, wdien old Congress Hall, Sixth and 
Chestnut Streets, was being restored and repaired, one of 
the carpenters found some papers behind the wainscoting in 
the Senate chaml)er which had been there over ninety years. 
One of the documents was a "Return of election of Senator 
of the State in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the 
district of the City of Philadelphia, the County of Philadel- 
phia, and the County of Delaware, held in the State House, 

90 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

Philadelphia, 11th October, 1803." At this election Edward 
Heston was elected, having received 1,682 votes. The 
return is signed by James Sharswood, Matthew Carey, 
James Gamble, Lewis Rush, William Stephenson, Joseph 
IMorrell, and Stephen Girard. 

Edward Heston was buried in the family Inirying 
ground on his "plantation," near what is now Fifty-fifth 
and Master Streets. The dead in this enclosure were later 
removed to Woodlands. 

The Heston School, at Fifty-fourth Street and Lans- 
downe Avenue, is built upon a part of what was Colonel 
Heston's farm. The ground was willed and deeded to the 
city by members of the Heston family. The first school- 
house, built about 1828, was a log house; this was followed 
by a "rough-cast" building. In 1868 a brick schoolhouse, 
with a cupalo, was erected. Several years ago a fine up- 
to-date grammar school was built on the same plot with the 
brick building. In 1918 this last-named was set on fire, and 
the entire building gutted and destroyed. (It was thought 
by some of the investigators, that robbery was the cause, 
as it was known that a number of "Liberty Bonds" were 
there, having been bought by the teachers and scholars. 
Others felt it was the work of German sympathisers. A 
couple of weeks later, when the George Brooks School, 
Fifty-seventh Street and Haverford Avenue, was also 
burned, five firemen losing their lives, and many others 
seriously injured, it became certain that the fire was a part 
of a plan to spread terror.) 

From the "Colonial Records," Vol. XII, page 67-70, 
may be found the following: 

"In the Supreme Executive Council, August 10, 1779. 

"Joseph Reed, President. 

"An order issued to Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Hes- 
ton for two hundred dollars for services done to General 
Potter, from the 14th of November, 1777, to the 3rd of 
January, 1778, as certified by the said General at four dol- 
lars p. day." 

91 



Historic Lower JMerion and Blockley 

An odd little six-page pamphlet entitled "An Address 
to the People of Blockley and Its Vicinity," published about 
1822, was called to my attention several years ago. It 
described a controversy over the name of the settlement 
known as Hestonville. Newcomers in the neighborhood 
of the three-mile stone tried to call the growing village 
"Monroe." The pamphlet describes the dissention as fol- 
lows : 

"About twenty-live years ago, a person by the name of 
Hill undertook to make a map of Philadelphia city and 
its vicinity, an undertaking as arduous as it was laudable; 
he, however, completed it. The map was in circular form, 
extending each way ten miles from the centre, in which the 
names of places long established were generally entered, 
and the proprietors of many such villages, country seats, 
farms etc., as had not been previously named were con- 
sulted, and in many instances names were agreed on, and 
entered on the map accordingly. 

"Such was the situation of the farm on which the 
three-mile stone before mentioned stands, which farm at 
that time belonged to Edward Heston, who, on being con- 
sulted respecting the name he wished his place to have, 
gave it the name of Hestonville or villa, which name was 
entered also. 

"Previous to that period, Edward Heston had sold 
some small lots off of the eastern end of his farm ; one to 
his brother Isaac, and one or two more to strangers. Isaac, 
however, built a house on his lot and made it his place of 
residence during his life, and his was the only family among 
the original settlers that continued to live there at the time 
that the name of Monroe for that village was first men- 
tioned or thought of, which name he never either assented 
to or adopted. 

"The name of Monroe, it therefore appears, was alto- 
gether introduced and adopted by strangers, one of whom 
had by this time got in possession of a house and lot situated 
across the turnpike, directly opposite to Isaac Heston's 
premises ; this stranger had the name of Monroe painted 
92 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

on a board and fastened to a post in his lot, which board 
remained a considerable time before much opposition was 
made. 

"At length, however, Isaac Heston seeing the name of 
Monroe adopted generally by his neighboring villagers, and 
knowing, as well he might, that the adoption of that name 
there, under existing circumstances, was an unwarrantable 
usurpation of rights long established, he could not con- 
sistently reconcile to be thus wantonly supplanted of a 
name that it was no man's privilege to take away. He there- 
fore suggested to his brother Edward the expediency, and 
indeed the necessity of keeping up the name, by each of 
them having the name of Hestonville painted and put up 
on their respective premises, which was accordingly done; 
one at the store near the Columbus tavern, and the other in 
the very centre of what those strangers had been pleased 
to call Monroe village. 

''And what next? A farce was introduced which was 
completely characteristic of those who commenced it; the 
name of Hestonville was torn down by violent hands, and 
the board that contained it carried off the ground ; and as it 
is one of the principles of nature for like to beget like, 
similar acts were committed by way of retaliation on the 
other side, and so it went until sober unbiased observers 
had cause to mourn over the follies of their contending 
neighbors; and those only were gratified whose eyes glad- 
den at the sight of licentiousness, and whose hearts warm 
in the midst of contention. After a time, however, the 
name Hestonville disappeared in that quarter, and the name 
of Monroe was permitted to remain; then, and not till 
then (notwithstanding the palpable injustice of the meas- 
ure), a seeming tranquility appeared to prevail for a season. 

"Efforts were now made to endeavor to unite the two 
great contending parties, the inhabitants of Hestonville and 
those of Monroe." 

The Heston faction and the Monroe faction kept up 
hostilities for some time afterward, and it was only after 
there had been all sorts of agitation in the vicinity of the 
93 



Historic Lower JMerion and Blockley 



three-mile stone, religious, educational, social and political, 
that finally the community settled down to an acceptance 
of the leadership of the Hestons and the adoption of their 
family name. 

The "three-mile stone" on the Lancaster Pike stood 
below what is now Master Street, formerly Paschall Street. 
The "Monroe Fire Engine House" and "Monroe Hall" 
above it, where local entertainments were held, was near 
what is now Fiftieth and Lancaster A^'enue. 

When a new fire house was built on Belmont Avenue 
(Forty-fourth Street) near Girard Avenue, and the "Monroe 
Engine Company" (now 16) was moved, the local post 
office was opened there and was officially station W, but 
was called "Monroe" by the people, so this old name 
cropped up again seventy-five years later. As the city 
grew westward a new post office building was erected 
at the intersection of Lansdowne and Lancaster Avenues 
(about twenty-five years ago). It was called "West Park." 

Among the other one-time villages to be absorbed by 
the city were Hamilton Village, on a portion of the Hamil- 
ton estate. Mantua, extending from the Schuylkill along 
Haverford Road and Spring Garden Street to Forty-first 
Street. About all that remains to remind us of this old 
settlement is the ]Mantua Baptist Church, Fortieth Street 
and Fairmount Avenue. Kingsessing, settled by the 
Swedes, Darby Road. Maylandville, on the Darby Road on 
Mill Creek, a settlement which grew around Jacob May- 
land's snufT and tobacco mills. Paschallville was also on 
the Darby Road near Sixty-fifth Street. Paschall Street, 
now Master Street, ran from the Lancaster "Pike" above 
the "three-mile stone" to this village. Haddington was the 
section lying from Sixty-third to Sixty-fifth Street on and 
adjacent to the Haverford Road. (During the Civil War a 
hospital for the sick and wounded soldiers was established 
at Haddington. Another hospital, called the "Satterlee" 
(for General Satterlee), was also in Blockley Townshij). 
The apartment house bearing this name, at Forty-fifth and 
94 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

Chestnut Streets, is built on a portion of the ground where 
this hospital stood. 

An Old Assessor's List 
The First One Taken after the Revolution 

In 1783 Edward W. Heston and Thomas George were 
appointed assessors for the Township of Blockley. This 
was the first list taken after the Revolution. The original 
list, which is in an excellent state of preservation, is in pos- 
session of the family of the late Edward W. Heston, of 
Cynwyd. Edward A\'. Heston was a grandson of Colonel 
Edward W. Heston. of Revolutionary fame, and one of the 
assessors. 

The list shows 112 residents and non-taxpayers, occu- 
pying 7,231 acres of land. The white population is 644, and 
there were 8 negroes, or slaves. There were 85 houses, 40 
barns, 119 horses, 253 horned cattle and sheep. William 
Hamilton was the largest land owner, having 554 acres 
where Woodlands Cemetery is now located. John Penn 
owned 240 acres, now the site of Horticultural Hall, Fair- 
mount Park. Edward W. Heston, the assessor, owned 110 
acres, near Fifty-second Street. (He was the founder of 
Hestonville.) George Gray was the second largest land 
owner, with 300 acres at Gray's Ferry. Carriages were con- 
sidered a luxury, only a dozen being in the district ; Ijut 
everybody had more than one saddle. Jonas Supplee had 
the only distillery, not far from Hestonville. There were 
two ferries, two grist mills, and one tannery. 

The list of "Land and Housekeepers" contains the fol- 
lowing names : 

John Thomas, David Jones, Sebastian AA'ilfong, Joseph 
Jones. Peter Wilfong, Jonas Supplee, Nathan Supplee, 
Nathan Rhoads, Henry Read, Samuel Pearson, Lydia 
Morris, Aron Hilbert, Isaac Gray, Lydia Alusgrove, Henry 
Campffer, j\Iary Coulton, Edward Williams. David Seld- 
rack. Frederick Smith, AVilliam Seldrack, James Under- 
wood, A\ illiam Sanders, John Supplee, Mary Blankley, Jo- 
seph Lees, Jr., George Gray, Joseph Lees, Barbery Roop, 
95 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

Ezel)ella Turner, Joseph Salt1)ack, Peter Jones. James \\'or- 
rell, Joseph Coiighran, Rich'd Grain, Rol)ert and Richard 
Grain, Thos. George, Jacol) Balort, Amos George, Gonrad 
Hoover, WiUm Roberts, Thos. Roberts, Able ^loore, Wil- 
liam Bispham, AVillm Rose. Andrew Yocum, Martin A\'al- 
ter, Gillion Roop, Joseph Hibbert, John Saltback, Michael 
Loots, John Bare, IMary Smith, Rebecca Sandoun, John 
Neven, Peter Rose. John Hough, Robt. McGugan, Adam 
Rhoads, Al^rah Harding, Margery Warner, Henry Smith, 
Thomas Rhoads, John Davis, Peter Ott, Joseph Watson, 
Ann Green, John Pywell, James Wallis, Willm Toms, John 
George, Robert Graig, Jacob Slone, Ghristian ]\Iiller, ]\Ialon 
Hall, John Heckler, Jonathan Supplee, Thos. Tomson, 
Isaac Kite, Edward Heston, Jacob Reeves, Thos. W^alters, 
Jacob Waggoner, Ghris Keller, Jesse George, Jos. Boulton, 
Abrah Streeper, John Peck, Isaac Warner, Wilson Warner, 
Peter Evans, Ghristian Leech, Jacob Hoffman, James Jones, 
Silas Gilbert, Daniel Bowman, Henry Felton, Willm. 
Davay, Joseph Hall, Jacob Fawood, Morris Fowler, Jacolj 
Johnson, Jacob Amos, Isaac Hayes, Willm Elliot, Rol^ert 
Piatt, Edmund Phisick, Phenias Roberts, Willm Peters, 
Rich. Peters, John Lukins, John Penn, Willm Hamilton. 

The list of "inmates" of the above-named housekeepers' 
families and "single freemen" includes the following names : 

John Thomas, Jr., David Jones, Francis Leatherman, 
Andrew Supplee, Matthew McGrate, Edward Haley, David 
Seldrack, Jr., George Hansil, John Leacock, John Stradling, 
Peter Worrell, David George, Francis Higgins, Phenias 
Roberts, Jos. Sellers, Martin Waller, Jr., Abra Smith, Ben 
Smith, Arch. Watson, Thos. Gampble, Jos. Gampble, Mour- 
ton Garrett, John Hall, Jos. King, Jont. Kite, Willm Kite, 
Arth. Kite, Mich. Gate, Adam Keller, Isaac Roberts, Willm 
Warner, Joshua Levis, Will Miller, Will Leech, John Leech, 
Moses Wells, Thos. Glarridge, Gharles Arnold, Rich. Whit- 
field. 

Many of these names are also found in the "Pennsyl- 
vania Archives," Second Series, in the list of Revolutionary 
soldiers. 

96 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



In the assessors" list the occupation of WilHam Warner 
is given as "soldier." (From this I infer that he may have 
been a volunteer in the Continental Army for a lengthy 
period of time.) The other residents of Blockley, who 
fought for independence, were mostly "associators," or 
members of the "Philadelphia County Militia." The same 
battalion in various years, included both Blockley and 
Merion, which latter territory was not cut oi¥ from Phila- 
delphia County until 1784. 

Thomas Wynne was a Revolutionary soldier, and 
lived at "Wynnstay," Blockley. His name does not appear 
on this list, but the 100 acres of land, marked as "Estate of 
Thomas Wynn, deceased," were held, or rented by Thomas 
Waters. This Thomas Wynn, deceased, was the father of 
the Revolutionary soldier, Thomas Wynn. This patriot 
had been detained a number of years by the British, in 
their horrible prison-ship, "Jersey." (The old farm was 
probably leased during his absence.) 

Some of the entries on this assessors' list are curious 
and interesting. Under the head of "Negroes and Mulattes" 
we see that George Gray owned two, as his personal prop- 
erty ; Rebecca Sandown, widow, one; John Penn, gent, 
three, and William Hamilton, one. 

Another curious circumstance is that on large planta- 
tions only a small number of "horned cattle" were kept. 
Thus, David Jones, with 200 acres, had but 8 ; John Thomas, 
with 135 acres, only 4; Jonas Supplee, with 110 acres, 2; 
Edward Williams, with 110 acres, 3, and so on. The largest 
number held by any one person was 11. These belonged to 
George Gray, of Gray's Ferry, who possessed 300 acres in 
Philadelphia County, and 246 acres in Chester County. ( In 
talking with Mr. Edward Heston, of Cynwyd, a short time 
before his death, while explaining the old list, Mr. Heston 
said that he thought the reason was that in early days no 
attempt was made to cultivate grass for pasture and hay, 
but that cattle were obliged to depend upon scant patches 
of meadow for grazing ground.) 
97 



Historic Loner Merion and Blockley 

Improved methods of farming, introduced into Penn- 
sylvania after the Revolution were largely due to Judge 
Peters, of Belmont. To this eminent jurist belongs the 
credit of importing gypsum as a fertilizer, in 1797. Judge 
Peters was, during the Revolution, a member of the Phil- 
adelphia Agricultural Society. 

In the assessors' list appears the name of Richard 
Peters, gent. He holds 180 acres of land, with one dwell- 
ing house (now Belmont ^Mansion, in West Fairmount 
Park), owns 70 ounces of plate, 2 horses, 5 horned cattle, 6 
sheep, and has 7 white inhabitants in his family. 

Among other residents having a Cjuantity of plate may 
be mentioned John Penn, gent, 224 ounces ; William Ham- 
ilton, 60 ounces ; Edmund Physick, gent, 37 ounces ; George 
Gray, gent, 70 ounces, and Isaac Gray, gent, 30 ounces. 

John Penn was a grandson of William Penn, and the 
last royal Governor of Pennsylvania. His residence w^as 
the "Lansdowne i^Iansion," which he l)uilt upon his exten- 
sive property in what is now the West Park. "Lansdowne" 
was destroyed by fire, July 4, 1854, caused from sparks 
while a small boy was setting off his firecrackers. (The 
Park Commissioners, evidently not appreciating the historic 
value of this old building, had the walls torn down, and 
Horticultural Hall, erected for the Centennial celebration, 
stands upon the site of John Penn's home.) On the assess- 
ors' list the number of acres given for the Lansdowne prop- 
erty is 240. 

Still ant»ther curious fact about this old list is that car- 
riages were few. People travelled mostly on horseback. 
Almost every householder kept "horses and mares." Laider 
the head of "Riding Chairs and Couches," it is recorded that 
Isaac Gray, gent, had 1 chair ; John Supplee, farmer, 1 chair ; 
George Gray, gent, 1 chair ; Jacol) Waggoner, innkeeper, 1 
chair ; William Peters, Est., 1 phaeton ; John Penn, gent, 
1 coach, 1 phaeton; William Hamilton, 1 chair. 

Following is the list of "non-residentors" owning prop- 
erty in Blockley : 

98 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

Ann Emlen, Will Smith, Joseph Dean, George Clymer, 
Edward George, Thomas Willing, Samuel Powell, David 
Beveridge, Sanders and Reaves, Joseph Ogden, Thomas 
Marshall, Jr., Nathan Thomas, John Sellers, Pick's Lands, 
Wilfong's do.. Widow Shaw's do., IMarsh's Land, John 
Ross's do.. Huff's do., Sarah Pawling, Willing and Francis, 
Jacob Plankingham, Francis Lees. (In the above list is 
found the name of George Clymer, a signer of the Declara- 
tion of Independence.) 

"Wynnstay" 

"Wynnstay" was the original name given to the W'ynne 
place, and is so marked on the early maps. This tract of 



'^n 



IM 




riiiil 




The Original "Wynnstay" 

Built in 1690 by Dr. Thomas Wynne, friend and physician 

to William Penn. Still standing and has 

recently been restored 



land on the Old Lancaster Road, east of City Avenue, was 

part of the 1000 acres purchased by Dr. Thomas Wynne and 

John ap John, in 1681. It was named after "Wynnstay" 

99 



Historic Lower Merion and B lockley 

in Wales, and was comprised in old Blockley Township. A 
lane leading from the Old Lancaster Road, or Blockley and 
Merion Turnpike (laid out in 1690), left the road near the 
sixth milestone. 

AMthin the last few years \\'ynnefield, a pretty sub- 
urban settlement has grown up on this portion of the 
Wynne place. (Wynnefield is a translation of the Welsh 
"Wynnstay.") The sixth milestone is still standing, 
though the old Lancaster Road has lost its name in 
Wynnefield, and is called Fifty-fourth Street. 

Just above the milestone stands an old house sur- 
rounded by majestic trees. This is the home of Miss 
Sarah S. \\'ynne,* a lineal descendant of Dr. \\'ynne. On 
the gatepost is cut "Wynnsta\ ." for the house and the 
surrounding lawn and garden are part of the Wynne tract. 
But this is not the original house — that stands further east 
and nearer Bala. It has recently been restored. The date 
stones tell us that one end was bviilt in 1690; the other in 
1700. 

Formerly a long, low, frame addition extended from 
the older portion towards the north, where a large barn, 
of the same stone, stood. When the house was restored 
the barn was torn down, and so was the frame extension. 
From the stone of the barn was built a new wing where 
the frame one stood, and also a modern garage. But the 
main portion of the house was not altered in any way, 
except that the porches which had fallen to decay were 
rebuilt. 

Dr. Thomas \\'ynne was a notable character in Colonial 
days. He was the first Speaker of the first House of Repre- 
sentatives in Pennsylvania ; a Judge in the Provincial 
Courts ; Magistrate of Sussex County, Delaware (where 
he moved), ^^'as friend and pliysician to \\'illiam Penn, 
a scholar and a Quaker preacher. A great number of 
famous characters, Revolutionary and otherwise, were 
descended from Dr. ^^'"v^ne, among them being John Dick- 



=Note. — Miss Wynne died August 29, 1921, aged 89 years. 
100 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

inson, author of the "Farmer's Letters," and Generals John 
and Lambert Cadwalader. 

During- the Revokitionary period the old Wynne house 
was occupied by the family of Lieutenant Thomas Wynn, 
of the "Pennsylvania Flying Camp," a great-grandson of 
the first Thomas Wynne. Lieutenant Wynn was taken 
prisoner by the British and detained on Long Island for 
more than four years. 

While Blockley and Merion Townships were being 
ravaged by the British, and while Lieutenant Wynn was 
away from home in the service of his country, a number of 
British soldiers attacked the Wynn house. Mrs. Wynn, 
so the story goes, assisted only by her children and servants, 
bravely defended her home. But the English finally broke 
into the house and searched high and low for valuables. 
But the only things they found which they wanted were 
some freshly-baked loaves of bread and a barrel of liquor. 
The last vanquished them! They fell helpless under the 
influence of the liquor and were captured by a party of 
American soldiers who passed that way. (Mrs. Elizabeth 
Rees, wife of Lieutenant Wynn, is buried at Merion 
Meeting.) 

The Five Points 

At the Five Points, outside the Park, near Bala, two 
old roads, the Monument and the Ford Roads, cross each 
other, and a third, the Falls Road, starts out from the inter- 
section, thus forming five roads pointing in five different 
directions — to Hestonville, to West Manayunk, to Lower 
Merion, to the Ford, and to the Falls of Schuylkill. All 
these old roads resounded to the tramp of contending 
armies. Continental and British. 

Near the Five Points stands an old schoolhouse, nearly 
seventy years old, built on ground presented by George 
Aston, of "Woodside." The building was named "x\ston- 
ville School" in the expectation that a village would grow 
around it. This has never grown, but the fields surround- 
ing it are gradually being built upon. 
101 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

This little schoolhouse has a white marble tablet over 
the door giving its name, but recently the Board of Educa- 
tion (for the school is within the Philadelphia City limits) 
has placed a large sign, covering the little tablet, bearing 
the words "Joseph M. Bennett Public School." 

It was in this locality, while reconnoitering in the 
spring of 1778, that Colonel Edward Heston, of the Penn- 
sylvania Militia, was captured by a party of British 
troopers. He was sent as a prisoner to Long Island, where 
he was detained for seven months. 

Blockley Baptist Church 

The Blockley Baptist Church was founded in 1804. It 
stands on ground given by John Suplee, a Revolutionary 
soldier, whose remains rest in a vault under the church. 
The Suplee (or Supplee) family is descended from Arnaud 
Souplis, one of the numerous Huguenots who settled in and 
about Philadelphia in 1683. 

In the churchyard are buried a number of Revolu- 
tionary soldiers, among them being William Sheldrake, 
John Graham, John Little, William Donaldson, John 
Camber, Peter Worrell, John Tyson, Benjamin Town, 
Benjamin Aliller, Thomas A\'yatt and William McClure. 

For many years this was the only church of any 
denomination (except the Friends) in all Blockley Town- 
ship. 

The church is situate on what is now Fifty-third 
Street, being a part of the old-time "Meeting House Lane," 
which extended from the Lancaster Pike to the \\'est 
Chester Road (now Market Street). Meeting House Lane 
is "lost" in Fifty-second Street, where the trolley line runs ; 
only a portion of it from the church to Girard Avenue, 
between Fifty-second and Fifty-third Streets remains. 

The "General Association" to spread the gospel in 
Pennsylvania was founded in Blockley Baptist Church on 
July 4. 1827. (See Scharf and Westcott's "History of 
Philadelphia, Vol. II, pages 1310-1311.) 
102 



And ]\I ontgomery County, Pennsylvania 



Old Roads 

A\'e have previously given the history of the Ford 
Road, the Old Lancaster Road, the Lancaster Turnpike and 
the Monument Road. Other old roads are : 

The Darby Road, leaving Lancaster Road near the 
Middle Ferry and extending southward to Darby — 1690. 

West Chester Road (now Market Street) extending 
westward from the intersection of Darby and Lancaster 
Roads— 1770. 

Marshall Road, now West Walnut Street — 1750. (On 
Scull and Heap's Map of 1750, we see a road "to Mar- 
shall's.") 

Haverford Road, from Haverford Meeting House to 
Upper Ferry (near where the Spring Garden Street bridge 
stands), laid out in 1690. 

Upper Darby Road, from Merion Meeting House, 
passing through Haddington (near Sixty-second — Sixty- 
fifth Streets) to Upper Darby Meeting House — 1695. 

These historic roads are shown upon the military 
charts of that day, both American and British ; also on 
early maps. 

Near the intersection of the Haverford Road and the 
Upper Darby Road, close to Ardmore Junction, stands one 
of the most beautiful of old Colonial houses, with stately 
columns supporting the piazza. It is on part of the 
Humphrey estate, and the oldest portion of the house was 
built long before Revolutionary days. 

Other old roads in Lower Merion are Levering Mill 
Road, which led from Levering's Ferry near where the 
Manayunk bridge now stands (and is marked on Scull and 
Heap's map of 1750), up through Lower Merion to the 
Old Lancaster Road, near where the Ford Road joins the 
latter, at "Bowman's Bridge." The lower end of this road, 
near the river, was called since the early sixties, "Clegg's 
Lane," because a man named Clegg bought one of the old 
mills there and operated it for years. It was \.\\> this road 
from Levering's Ferry that Washington's army marched 
103 



Historic Lower Alerion and Blockle 



on September 14, 1777, after crossing from Old Roxborough 
Township to Lower Merion, on the way to Merion Meet- 
ing House, thus leaving the camp near the Falls of Schuyl- 
kill, three days after the Battle of the Brandywine. They 
turned from Levering Mill Road out Meeting House Lane, 
according to Lieutenant McMichael's Journal, where they 
reached the "great road to Lancaster.'' 

Righter's Ferry was between Manayunk and Pencoyd 
on the Schuylkill, and Righter's Ferry Road ran from the 
Old Ford Road to this Ferry. One detachment of Con- 
tinentals marched up into Merion from Righter's Ferry, 
then out the Ford Road to Merion Meeting. 

Levering Mill Road no longer runs to the river, but 
ends at Belmont Avenue. Righter's Ferry Road runs down 
the hill past West Laurel Hill Cemetery, but neither does 
it lead to the river. It turns to the right at Pencoyd and 
joins City Line at the bridge. (The Pennsylvania Railroad 
and the Pencoyd Iron Works have "acquired" the entire 
bank of the river between City Line, almost to Manayunk 
bridge, thus cutting off the west River Road, and closing 
the lower portions of Righter's Ferry Road and Levering 
Mill Road, two old historic highways. 

Valley Forge 

The principal part of the Camp Ground at Valley 
Forge, including Washington's headquarters, is in Upper 
Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. 
(Only a small portion of it extends into Chester County.) 
Just across the Valley Creek were the Artificers, in what 
was then Charlestown Township, now Schuylkill, the lower 
part of Charlestown having been cut off since the Revolu- 
tion. As Washington's army, in 1777, marched through 
Lower Merion and camped there, on its way to Valley 
Forge, I feel that this volume would be incomplete without 
a few words concerning this noted spot. 

The fine old stone house used by A\^ashington as his 
headquarters is still in an excellent state of preservation. 
At the time of the Revolution it was the home of Isaac 
104 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



Potts, a patriot Friend, or Quaker. He it was who came 
upon Washington while at prayer in the woods, as shown 
in the painting so familiar to us all. 

The army went into camp at Valley Forge in Decem- 
l)er, 1777. and spent a terrible winter of suffering from 
both cold and hunger. But the women and girls in that 
part of the country did what they could to help feed and 
clothe the soldiers. They knitted stockings, gloves and 
mufflers; they baked bread, carried flour and grain to 
them, and ministered to their necessities as well as lay in 
their power — iust as our women and girls have done today, 
both at home and abroad. The army evacuated Valley 
Forge in June, 1778. 




WASmNGTOX'S HEADoLAKTtK^, \ ALLL\ FoRGE 

Every Pcnnsylvanian, and no doubt every American, 
is rejoiced that Valley Forge is saved to the nation. The 
fact that it has been preserved is largely due to the efforts 
of a woman, the late Anna AI. Holstein, of Bridgeport, Pa. 
Mrs. Holstein had been since 1885 the "Lady Regent" for 
Pennsylvania, in the association of patriotic women formed 
for the purpose of preserving the home of Washington at 
Mt. Vernon. During the Civil War she went as an army 
105 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

nurse and rendered valuable aid to our country in that 
capacity, as also did ^Irs. Rebecca ]McInncs, who was closely 
associated with her. 

As the year 1878 drew near, the one hundredth anni- 
versary of the evacuation of Valley Forge, when the troops 
marched on to victory, Mrs. Holstein felt that its centennial 
ought to be fitting-ly observed. She and other kindred 
spirits, living in the neighborhood, with several patriotic 
societies, formed the "Valley Forge Centennial and Memo- 
rial Association." Among the first meml^ers were Major 
William Holstein, Dr. and Mrs. George Holstein, all of 
Bridgeport; General B. F. Fisher and Colonel I. Heston 
Todd, of Valley Forge ; John O. K. Robarts, editor of the 
Phoenixville Messenger ; Colonel N. Ellis, of Phoenixville ; 
Colonel and Mrs. Theadore W. Bean, and Charles Ramey, 
of Norristown, and others. Mrs. Holstein was elected 
Regent of this association, an office which she held until 
her death, December 31, 1900. 

The Valley Forge Centennial and Memorial Associa- 
tion purchased the headquarters with adjoining orchard 
and garden, and celebrated June 19, 1878, with impressive 
ceremonies. It was then that the late Henry Armitt Brown, 
that eloquent young orator, delivered his famous address. 
This celebration called the attention of the whole nation to 
Valley Forge. 

The Association had purchased the headquarters 
buoyed up by an abiding faith, but borne down by a heavy 
debt. The Patriotic Order Sons of America came to their 
aid, and by June 19, 1887, the property was free from all 
incumbrance. Another celebration was held, the date being 
the 109th anniversary of the evacuation of Valley Forge. 
Among those instrumental in bringing about this happy 
consummation were Henry J. Stager, editor of the Phila- 
delphia Camp Ncivs (the organ of the Patriotic Sons of 
America), and J. P. Hale Jenkins, Esq., of Norristown, Pa. 

In 1894 the Valley Forge Chapter, Daughters of the 
American Revolution, was organized, and Mrs. Holstein 
became its first Regent. This chapter assisted in the care 
106 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

of Washington's Headquarters and furnished, in Colonial 
style, the room in which Washington slept. 

Chester County Chapter, Daughters of the American 
Revolution, followed, and furnished another room in similar 
style. 

Merion Chapter has also furnished a room in Washing- 
ton's Headquarters, the upper room with the "round win- 
dow" (facing the Valley Hills), shown in so many pictures. 
Every piece of furniture is authentic, with a Revolutionary 
or Colonial history. 

On the death of Mrs. Holstein, Mrs. Rebecca Mclnnes, 
of Norristown, who had been Vice-Regent of the Valley 
Forge Centennial and IMemorial Association, succeeded her 
as Regent. (Mrs. Mclnnes had also been Vice-Regent of 
the Valley Forge Chapter, D. A. R., with Mrs. Charles 
Hunsicker as Regent.) Other Regents were Mrs. P. Y. 
Eisenberg and Mrs. N. Howland Brown. The present 
Regent of the Valley Forge Chapter is Miss Martha 
Mclnnes (1918). The retiring Regent, Mrs. Irwin Fisher. 

Some years ago the State of Pennsylvania acquired 
several hundred acres of the Valley Forge Camp Ground, 
with the intention of gradually securing the whole and pre- 
serving it forever as a public park. Washington's Head- 
quarters, so long in the possession of the Valley Forge Cen- 
tennial and Memorial Association, became, in March, 1906, 
the property of the State. The Association then went out 
of existence, but it will long be remembered for the noble 
record it left behind it. One of its last acts was to join with 
other patriotic societies in celebrating the 125th anniversary 
of Washington's evacuation of Valley Forge, June 19, 1903. 

In the morning there was held a Memorial Service, 
after which the corner-stone of the Washington Memorial 
Chapel was laid. (Colonel I. Heston Todd gave the ground 
for this church. The erection of the Memorial Chapel was 
the result of a sermon preached by Rev. W. Herbert Burk, 
then rector of All Saints' P. E. Church, Norristown, now of 
the Memorial Chapel, Valley Forge.) The usual rite for 
the laying of a corner-stone was carried out in full. A 
107 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

large metal box was placed within the ponderous block, 
and the contents included : 

The holy Bible, prayer-book and hymnal ; Journal of 
the Diocese of Pennsylvania, 1902 ; address of Bishop Whit- 
aker and other papers relating to the Diocesan Convention, 
1903 ; Norristown Daily Herald, February 23, 1903, con- 
taining the sermon in which Rev. W. Herbert Burk, rector 
of All Saints' P. E. Church, Norristown, Pa., suggested the 
erection of the ^Memorial Chapel ; various secular and 
church papers containing articles on the subject, and a 
poem, "The National Flower, or Valley Forge Arbutus," by 
Miss Margaret B. Harvey (Merion Chapter, D. A. R.) ; 
History of All Saints' Church, by the late Henry R. Brown ; 
pictures and papers relating to Norristown and Philadelphia 
churches, historic stones and woods; the daily papers for 
June 19, 1903, and an American flag. 

In the afternoon a grand patriotic celebration was 
given. Addresses were made by Hon. Walter S. Logan, of 
the Empire State Society, S. A. R. ; Mrs. Donald McLean, 
then Regent of the New York City Chapter, D. A. R., and 
later President General of the National Society, D. A. R. 
(both of whom have since been summoned "Over 
Beyond") ; Miss Adaline W". Sterling, of New Jersey, 
President D. R., and Hon. Charles Emory Smith, of Phila- 
delphia. 

Two poems written for this occasion were read by 
Francis L. Lybarger; one was by Miss Margaret B. Har- 
vey and the other by Mrs. Mary E. Thropp Cone. Miss 
Harvey's poem was entitled "Ode for \'alley Forge Day," 
and contains these lines : 

O \'alley Forge ! O ringing name ! 

The "Forge" suggests the deathless flame. 

The glowing mass, the hammer strong. 

The sound of music, metal's song, 

By which our Nation rose to shine — 

The Vulcan-Maker all divine! 

O ^tna in the Valley Hill! 

The wondrous fire is bursting still ; 
108 



And ]\I outgo niery County, Pennsylvania 

How trembled earth at Crater's glow 

In first eruption, years ago ! 

O Valley Forge! A\"hat chains were wrought 

And over ocean boastful brought ! 

But we had fires and hammers, too — 

Our \"ulcans struck and shackles flew ! 

A prayer was made by the Rev. Henry A. F. Hoyt. 
D. D., Rector of St. John's P. E. Church, Lower Merion. 
The musical part of the program was under the direction 
of Mr. John O. K. Robarts, of Phoenixville. 



109 



PART III 

The Erection of Montgomery County 




^ N THE tenth day of September, 1784, the Legisla- 
ture of Pennsylvania passed an Act for the estab- 
lishment of the County of Montgomery, which 
reads as follows : 

Section I. ^^'hereas a great number of the 
inhabitants of the County of Philadelphia, by their petition, 
have humbly represented to the Assembly of this State the 
great inconvenience they labor under, by reason of their 
distance from the seat of judicature in said County; for 
remedy whereof, 

Section II. Be it enacted, and it is hereby enacted by 
the representatives of the Freemen of the Commonwealth 
of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and by the 
authority of the same, That all and singular the lands lying 
within that part of Philadelphia County, bounded as here- 
inafter described, beginning on the line of Byberry Town- 
ship, and the Township of the manor of Moreland, where it 
intersects the line of Bucks County, thence westward along 
the northern lines of Byberry, Lower Dublin and Oxford 
Townships, to the line dividing the Townships of Chelten- 
ham and Bristol ; and thence along the said line, dividing 
Germantown Township from the Township of Springfield ; 
and thence along said line, to the line dividing the Town- 
ship of Springfield aforesaid from the Township of Rox- 
borough, to the River Schuylkill ; thence down the said 
river, to the line dividing the Townships of Blockley and 
Lower Merion ; and thence along said line to the line of 
the County of Chester ; thence by the line of Chester 
County, to the line of Berks County ; thence by the line of 
Berks County to the line of Northampton County ; thence 
by part of the line of Northampton County, and the line 
of Bucks County ; thence along the said line of Bucks 
County, to the place of beginning; be, and hereby are, 
110 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

erected into a County, named, and hereafter to be called, 
"Montgomery" County. 

What is now Montgomery County, then part of Phila- 
delphia County, was settled by the Welsh, English and 
German — the Scotch-Irish and the Irish coming over at a 
later date. The Welsh (as told previously under the head 
of Lower Merion) have the honor of being first. The 
English, however, were a close second. 

Edward Jones, who brought the Colonists over on the 
ship Lyon (John Compton, Master), landing at Pencoyd, 
August 14, 1682, wrote home to Wales on August 26th, 
saying : "The Indians brought venison to our door for six 
pence ye quarter. There are stones to be had enough at 
the Falls of Skoolkill — that is where we are to settle — and 
water power enough for mills ; but thou must bring mill 
stones and the irons that belong to it, for smiths are dear." 

Thomas Evans and William Jones purchased seven- 
thousand-eight-hundred-and-twenty acres in Gwynedd 
in 1698, and were soon joined by Cadwallader, Owen and 
Robert Evans, Hugh Griffith, Ellis David, Robert Jones, 
Edward Foulke, John Hugh and John Humphrey. The 
Welsh at Merion built their meeting-house in 1695, on the 
site of a still older log meeting-house. 

In 1700 the Welsh of Gwynedd built a small log house 
for worship, and a larger one of stone was erected in 1712. 
The subscription paper was written in Welsh, to which 
sixty-six names were affixed. A petition of the residents 
of Gwynedd for a road to Philadelphia in 1704, states that 
they then numbered thirty families. 

In 1729, Marmaduke Pardo, of Gwynedd, "School- 
master" was married at Merion. This Marmaduke Pardo 
came from Pembrokeshire, Wales, with the following- 
quaint certificate, dated April 18, 1727: "\\& whose names 
are hereunto subscribed, being the Curate and others of 
the inhabitants of the Parish of St. David's, do hereby cer- 
tify whom it may concern, that ye bearer hereof, Marma- 
duke Pardo, of the citty of St. David's and County of Pem- 
brock, has to ye utmost of our knowledge & all appearances 
111 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

liv'd a very sober and pious life demeaning himself accord- 
ing to ye strictest Rules of his profession, viz., \vt what we 
call Quakerism, & yt he hath for these several years ])ast 
took upon himself ye keeping of a private school in this 
Citty, in wdiich Station he acquitted himself with ye com- 
mon applause, and to ye general satisfaction of all of us who 
have committed our children to his care and tuition, etc." 
(Signed by Richard Roberts, Curate, and about 25 others.) 

Before 1703, David Meredith, Thomas Owen. Isaac 
Price, Ellis Pugh and Hugh Jones, all from ^^'ales, settled 
in Plymouth. The Rev. Alalachi Jones from \\'ales, organ- 
ized the first Presbyterian Congregation at Abington in 
1714. 

Before 1720, John Evans, ^^'illiam James, Thomas 
James, Josiah James, James Lewis, Edward Williams and 
James Davis had settled in Montgomery Township, where 
they built a Baptist Church (1720) in which preaching in 
the Welsh language was maintained down to the Revolu- 
tion. The Welsh, as statistical records prove, during the 
first half of the Century were the principal settlers. In 
1734 they formed nearly one-fourth the entire population. 
In that year fifty-two taxables are mentioned in Lower 
Merion, of which forty-four are \\'elsh, and four English. 
In Lpper Merion, for the same date, of thirty-two, twenty- 
two are ^^'elsh and one English ; in Gwynedd of forty-eight, 
thirty-nine are Welsh and six English; in Towamencin, 
eight are Welsh and three English; in Horsham, five are 
Welsh and four English ; in Plymouth, eight are Welsh and 
six English ; in Montgomery, of twenty-nine, twenty-two 
are W^elsh ; in Norriton, seven Welsh and six English. 

As the Welsh, English and German did not understand 
each other's language, they, at first, formed settlements by 
themselves. 

After the Welsh came the F.nglish and th.eir first settle- 
ment, according to Air. William J. Buck, was probably 
made in Cheltenham. He said, "There is no doubt but 
what this township received its name through Toby Leech, 
one of the earliest landholders there." On his tombstone 
112 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

at Oxford Church is found this extract, that he "came 
from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, in 1682." 
From the records we learn that on the first of Seventh 
month, 1683, Thomas Fairman surveyed for Patrick Rob- 
inson, tw^o-hundred acres adjoining Richard Wall, by 
Tacony Creek, which states that "this tract of land is in 
the parish of Cheltenham." From this we learn that Rich- 
ard W^all's purchase must have been made still earlier. 
Richard \\'all was also from Gloucestershire. 

Other early settlers from England were John Day, 
William Brown, Everard Bolton, John Ashmead, John 
Russell and Joseph Mather. John Hallowwell, John 
Barnes and Joseph Phipps settled Abington before 1697. 

Nicholas More, a London physician, arrived soon after 
William Penn, and had conveyed to him, by patent, 7th of 
Sixth-month, 1684, the Manor of Moreland, containing nine- 
thousand-eight-hundred-and-fifteen acres. He called his 
place Green Spring, and built his home, where he lived for 
the balance of his life. 

Joseph Farmer, by patent, January 31, 1683, took up 
five-thousand acres of land. His widow, Mary Farmer, 
settled there with her family in 1685. This was the first 
settlement in \\'hitemarsh. On the death of Mrs. Farmer, 
in the latter part of 1686, her son Edv;ard Farmer, became 
the owner of three-fourths of the original purchase. He 
was noted as an interpreter to the Indians. He built a 
grist mill on the Wlssahickon prior to 1713. 

To the English l^elongs the honor of having l^urnt the 
first lime, from limestone in Pennsylvania. It was on the 
Farmer land. A\'e know this from a letter written by 
Nicholas More, to William Penn, September 13, 1683, say- 
ing, "Madame Farmer has found as good limestone as any 
in the world, and is building with it. She offers to sell 
ten thousand bushels at six pence the bushel, upon her 
[)lantation." Thomas Fitzwater carried on the burning of 
lime before 1705, at what was called Fitzwatertown. (Lime 
was burned in Upper ]\Ierion prior to 1708.) 
113 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockl 



ey 



John Barnes purchased two-hundred-and-fifty acres in 
Abington in 1684. In 1697, by will, he vested in the 
trustees of Abington Meeting one-hundred-and-twenty 
acres, for the use of same and for a schoolhouse. 

Plymouth was originally purchased and settled about 
1685, by James Fox, Richard Gove, Francis Rawle and John 
Chelson. As these men came from Plymouth, in Devon- 
shire, England, they called the place Plymouth. 

Thomas Iredell and Thomas Palmer were among the 
earliest settlers of Horsham. In 1701, Joseph Richardson 
and Edward Lane settled in Providence. In 1708 Edward 
Lane built a mill near Collegeville. Henry Pawling came 
from Buckinghamshire and was also an early settler of 
Providence. 

Previously the settlements in which the Welsh pre- 
dominated were given, so we will now take up those settled 
by the English. Statistics tell us that in 1734, Abington 
had twenty-four English and thirteen Welsh; Cheltenham, 
eleven English and six Welsh ; Moreland, forty-seven Eng- 
lish and seven Welsh ; Whitemarsh, twenty-three English 
and nine Welsh; Upper Dublin, fifteen English and five 
Welsh ; Springfield, nine English and no Welsh. 

The English built Abington Friends' Meeting House in 
1697; one at Horsham, 1721 ; at Providence. 1730; at Potts- 
town, 1753; Saint Thomas' Episcopal Church in White- 
marsh in 1710, and Saint James' in Providence in 1721. 

In 1755 there was one public library. It was founded 
at Hatboro 1)y the English, and the books, numbering five- 
hundred-and-fifty volumes, were brought from England. 

In less than a year after Penn landed, a colony of Ger- 
mans, chiefly from Creyfeld, arrived in October, 1683, and 
founded the village of Germantown. Penn had preached 
in Germany urging emigrants to come to Pennsylvania 
where liberty of conscience had been proclaimed. A major- 
ity of the first German settlers were members of the Society 
of Friends. They had been here only a short time when 
they were shocked to learn that many human beings were 
held in bondage. They drew \\\) a protest against slavery. 
114 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

This was probably the first protest against this inhuman 
practice in Pennsylvania. It seems almost incredible to 
ns that, in the early days, even Ministers of the Gospel held 
slaves — one ]:>eing "Pastor Weiss, preacher and slave- 
holder," who lived at the Reformed Church glebe, Red Hill, 
in Montgomery County. An old slave burying ground lies 
a short distance from the Schall mansion, near Greenlane. 

The Society of Friends, as an organization, always 
protested against slavery, as reference to their records will 
prove. Lucretia Mott, the noted Abolitionist, was a 
Friend. She devoted her whole life to the cause of the 
slave. She was a native of Montgomery County. 

Mathias Van Bebber bought a tract of land, six-thou- 
sand-one-hundred-and-sixty-six acres, which, by patent, 
dated February 22, 1702, was located on Skippack Creek, 
constituting about one-half of the southern portion of what 
is now Perkiomen Township. He invited settlers by sell- 
ing off his lands in parcels. Among these settlers prior 
to the end of 1703 were Henry Pennepacker, John Kuster, 
Claus Jansen, John Umstat and John Frey. John Jacobs 
came in 1704. Edward Beer, Herman and Gerhard Iden- 
hoferfin, Dirck and William Renberg before the close of 
1707. In 1708, William and Cornelius Dewees, Herman 
Custer, Christopher Zimmerman, Jacob Schall and David 
Desmond. In 1709, Jacob, John and Martin Kolb and John 
Stayer. Mathias Van Bebber gave a hundred acres to- 
wards a Mennonite Meeting House which was built about 
1725-26. 

German settlers also located in Cheltenham, Spring- 
field, \\niitemarsh, Moreland, Upper Dublin and Horsham. 
We find among them the Shoemakers, Tysons, Snyders, 
Clines, Ottingers, Cleavers, Redwitzers, Rinkers, Bartle- 
stalls, Melchers, Leverings, Reiffs, Conrads and the Lukens 
and Yerkes families. 

The influx of Irish into this country was small prior 
to 1724, but after that greatly increased, especially along 
the Schuylkill Valley. The Scotch-Irish and the Irish con- 
tributed largely to the strength of our army during the 
115 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

War of the Revolution. Among the Scotch-Irish we have 
such names as I'orter, Knox, Todd and Burnside. Col. 
Stephen Moylan's Cavalry was largely made up of the 
Irish. The Irish also fought in the War of 1812, the Civil 
War and the \\'orld War. A glance at the names of the 
A'arious regiments will prove this. No l)raver soldiers ever 
fought than those from the Emerald Isle. 

Among other early settlers were John Henry Sprogell, 
who bought a large tract of land before 1709 near what is 
now Pottstown. Isaac Schaeffer was a large landholder 
in Plymouth, in 1702. John Schrank settled in Providence 
in 1717. John F. Hillegas, in Upper Hanover in 1727. 
Before 1728 John George Gankler, Elias Long, John Henry 
Beer, George John Weiker and John Martin Derr and the 
patriotic Heister family (whose old brick mansion, built in 
1757, is still standing) settled in the vicinity of Salford. 

The early colonists were a religious i)eo|)le. most of 
them having left their native lands because of religious 
persecution. Almost as soon as they found a place to settle 
they built their churches and meeting houses. There was a 
Lutheran congregation organized by Justis Falkner in 1703. 
There was a church in Upper Providence in 1743; in Upper 
Dublin in 1754; Barren Hill in 1761; Saint John's, Whit- 
pain, 1769, and Saint Paul's, Lower Merion, in 1765. 

The German Reformed had congregations in Skippack, 
Whitemarsh, Salford and New Hanover at which Philip 
Boehm preached before 1727. A church was built at \\'hit- 
pain in 1740, and in Worcester in 1770. The Mennonites 
had houses of worship in Perkiomen in 1726, in Lower 
Salford in 1741 and in Towamencin in 1750. The Dunkards 
also had organized congregations at a very early date. 

The Schwenkfelders, a persecuted people from Silesia, 
followers of Casper Schwenkfeld. arrived in 1734, on the 
St. Andrczv, John Stodman, Master. Others arrived in 
1740. These people for 187 years have annually held serv- 
ices commemorating the landing of their forefathers. They 
still have their houses of worship, one being the Towamen- 
cin Schwenkfelder Church near West Point, and another 
116 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

at Lansdale. The last census gave these people six houses 
of worship. 

At Perkiomen there is a Schwenkteld Historical 
Museum and Library. The Museum and Library contain 
Bibles, deeds, surveyors' drafts, maps, Lidian relics, old 
stove plates, hats, dresses, tools of the flax industry, manu- 
scripts, samplers, pewter ware, pen work and various other 
interesting exhibits covering in time 440 years. The terri- 
tory from which these have been procured includes Cier- 
many, Montgomery County and other parts of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

From these statistics we learn that Montgomery 
County, with its wonderfully fertile lands, its many water- 
ways and luxurious forest growths, proved a haven of peace 
and rest to those from other climes. Each sect was per- 
mitted to worship according to its separate beliefs. 



117 




PART IV 

Centennial Celebration of Montgomery 
County 

S THE one-hundredth anniversary of the erection, 
or establishment of Montgomery County drew 
near, many of the most influential citizens felt that 
the event should be properly and fittingly cele- 
brated. The first movement towards this end was 
made by the Historical Society of Montgomery County. 

At a regular meeting of that organization held May 
25, 1882, Col. Theo. W. Bean, President, in the chair, the 
project was discussed at some length, and the chair on 
motion, appointed a committee, to confer with a similar 
committee of the County officials, and to consider the proper 
observances of that occasion. The committee consisted of 
F. G. Hobson, Esq., Hon. Jones Detwiler and A. K. 
Thomas. The County officials met the same day at the 
oftice of Irving P. Wanger, Esq., District Attorney and the 
following committee was appointed : Henry W. Kratz, 
Recorder of Deeds ; J. Roberts Rambo, Register of Wills, 
and Jacob R. Yost, County Treasurer. 

These two committees met and discussed plans for the 
celebration. It was determined that a general committee 
be appointed, consisting of one person from each election 
district in the county, into whose hands the work of the 
celebration be placed.* 

The General Committee was gradually selected. Also 
an "Auxiliary Committee in Philadelphia," composed of 
persons identified with the County, but residing in Philadel- 
phia at that time. Many meetings for the discussion of 
plans, ways and means, were held, extending over two 
years. At the meeting held May 29, 1884, it was detcr- 

*Note. — The committees, programme, exhibits, etc., were taken 
from the stenographic report of the Alontgomery Count}' Centennial 
Celebration, published by "The Centennial Association of Mont- 
gomery County, Pennsylvania." 

118 



And JMontgomery County, Pennsylvania 



mined, formally, that the committee be known as "The 
Centennial Association of Montgomery County, Pennsyl- 



The officers of the Association were as follows 

President 

Joseph Fornance, Esq., Norristown. 

Vice-Presidents 

Hon. Isaac F. Yost, New Hanover. 

Wharton Barker, Jenkintown. 

Philip Super, Pennsburg. 

Warner Roberts, Lower Merion. 

Robert Iredell, Norristowm. 

Dr. Hiram Corson, Conshohocken. 

Abraham H. Cassel, Harleysville. 

Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D. D., CoUegeville. 

George Lower, Springfield. 

Daniel Foulke, Gwynedd. 

Recording Secretary 

F. G. Hobson, Esq., Norristown. 

Corresponding Secretary 

Muscoe M. Gibson, Esq., Norristown. 

Financial Secretary 

J. A. Strassburger, Esq., Norristown. 

Treasurer 
Lewis Styer, Norristown. 

Executives 

F. G. Hobson, Esq., Norristown, Chairman. 
Col. Theo. W. Bean, Norristown. 

J. Roberts Rambo, Norristown. 
John W. Bickel, Esq., Norristown. 
Joseph Lees, Esq., Bridgeport. 
William J. Buck, Jenkintown. 

G. Dallas Bolton, Norristown. 

119 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

Col. John W. Schall, Norristown. 
Henry W. Kratz, Upper Providence. 
J. A. Strassburger, Esq., Norristown. 
Samuel F. Jarrett, Norriton. 

Antiquarian 

\\'illiam J. Buck, Jenkintown, Chairman. 

Hon. Jones Detwiler, Whitpain. 

Henry S. Dotterer, Philadelphia. 

Philip Super, Upper Hanover. 

Thomas G. Rutter, Pottsgrove. 

George F. Price Wanger, Norristown. 

Abraham H. Cassel, Lower Salford. 

Mrs. Dr. George W. Holstein, Bridgeport. 

Mrs. Sarah H. Tyson, Upper Merion. 

Mrs. G. R. Fox, Norristown. 

Mrs. William W. Owen, Norristown. 

Mrs. Joseph Fornance, Norristown. 

Finance 

David H. Ross, Esq., Conshohocken, Chairman. 

J. A. Strassburger, Esq., Norristown, Secretary and 

Treasurer. 
Albert Bromer, West Perkiomen. 
Col. Theo. W. Bean, Norristown. 
George W. Rogers, Esq., Norristown. 

Literary Exercises 

Hon. George N. Corson, Norristown, Chairman. 
Jacob \\ Gotwalts, Esq., Norristown. 
William L. Williamson, Pottstown. 
Hon. William H. Sutton, Lower Merion. 
Dr. William T. Robinson, Hatboro. 

Program 

Col. Theo. W. Bean, Norristown, Chairman. 
Joseph C. Jones, Conshohocken. 
]. Wright Apple, Esq., Norristown. 
F. L. Murphy, Norristown. 
120 



dnd j\I out (JO uiery County, Pennsylvania 

Dr. H. H. Drake, Norristown. 
David H. Roberts, Norristown. 

B. P'ercy Chain, Esq., Norristown. 

Invitation 
J. Roberts Rambo, Norristown, Chairman. 
David Scholl, Norristown. 
J. P. Hale Jenkins, Esq., Norristown. 
Samuel B. Helffenstein, Norristown. 
Perry L. Anderson, Lower Alerion. 
Levis H. Davis, Pottstown. 
Andrew J. Baker, Jenkintown. 
William AL Clift, Esq., Norristown. 
John H. AA'hite, Norristown. 
J. A\'right Apple, Esq., Norristown. 
John Burnett, Norristown. 

C. H. Brooke, Conshohocken. 
Dr. J. E. Bauman, Franconia. 
William Young, New Hanover. 

Dr. Charles C. Webber, Norristown. 
Col. Theo. \\\ Bean, Norristown. 

Decoration 

Mrs. JMary L. Koplin, Norristown, Chairman. 

Miss Bella Shaw, Norristown. 

Mrs. Henry R. Brown, Norristown. 

Miss Mary Harry, Norristown. 

Irvin H. Brendlinger, Norristown. 

Morgan Wright, Norristown. 

John Overholtzer, Norristown. 

Reception 

J. Wright Apple, Esq., Norristown, Chairman. 
Aaron S. Sw^artz, Esq., Norristown. 
John W. Bickel, Esq., Norristown. 
Irving P. Wanger, Esq., Norristown. 

Memorial 
Hon. Jones Detwiler, Whitpain, Chairman. 
Dr. Hiram Corson, Plymouth. 
121 



Historic Lower Alerion and Blockley 

John Hoffman, Norriton. 
Hon. Hiram C. Hoover, Norriton. 
Samuel F. Jarrett, Norriton. 
Samuel Rittenhouse, Norriton. 

Building 

Samuel F. Jarrett, Norriton, Chairman. 
Justus P. Leaver, Norristown. 
G. Dallas Bolton, Norristown. 
Joseph Fitzwater, Upper Providence. 

Music 
Lafayette Ross, Norristown, Chairman. 
Henry W. Kratz, Upper Providence. 
Dr. P. Y. Eisenberg, Norristown. 

Parade 

Col. James W. Schall, Norristown, Chairman. 

Col. Thomas W. Stewart, Norristown. 

George W. Rogers, Esq., Norristown. 

John Pugh, Conshohocken. 

Capt. H. N. Graffen, Pottstown. 

Hon. Montgomery S. Longaker, Pottstown. 

William D. Heebner, Lansdale. 

Dr. John S. Lees, Bridgeport. 

Rocoe M. Moir, \\'est Conshohocken. 

Auxiliary Committee of Philadelphia 

James B. Harvey, No. 4833 Lancaster Avenue, Chair- 
man. 

Saunders Lewis, Ambler. 

Miss Elizabeth Croasdale, School of Design for 
Women. 

John Wanamaker, Grand Depot. 

Ex-Governor John F. Hartranft. Collector of the Port. 

William M. Singerly, Editor of the Record. 

General William B. Thomas, ex-Collector of the Port. 

Lion. Horatio Gates Jones, Roxborough. 
122 



And JMontgomery County, Pennsylvania 

The foreg-oing were aided by a General Committee 
composed of one person from each election district in the 
County, together with a committee of assistants to Town- 
ship Committeemen. 

The Centennial Celebration was held Tuesday, Wed- 
nesday and Thursday, September 9, 10, 11, 1884, in Norris- 
town, the county seat of Montgomery County. 

On the opening day a granite monolith to the memory 
of David Rittenhouse, the noted astronomer, who lived 
in Montgomery County, was dedicated. The exercises took 
place at eleven o'clock a. m. on Tuesday, September 9th, 
in the presence of a large concourse of people. The memo- 
rial stands in front of the Court House. The meridian 
stone bears the following inscription : 

On the east face : 

David Rittenhouse 
Eminent Astronomer 
and Mathematician 
Born April 8, 1732 
Died June 26, 1796 

On the north face : 

He calculated and 

observed the Transit 

of Venus at His Home 

in Norriton, 1769 

On the west face : 

Erected by The 

Montgomery County 

Centennial Association 

On the south face : 



1784 : 1884 



123 



Historic Loiver Merion and Blockley 

David Rittenhouse, the records tell us, was born in the 
County of Philadelphia, of which Montgomery was then 
a part. He lived in youth and manhood, during the greater 
part of his lifetime, within the limits of Montgomery 
County. In Norriton township, within a few miles of where 
this monolith was erected, stood his father's house. There, 
in Norriton, lay the farm where he grew up as a farmer 
boy. There, in a tiny shop by the wayside, without other 




Home of David Rittenhouse 
Noted astronomer, born April 8, 1732 



instruction than the intuitive promptings of an extraordi- 
nary genius, he taught himself to make clocks and mathe- 
matical instruments. The clocks, remarkable for their 
accuracy and the beauty of their workmanship, are still 
treasured as heirlooms in many households. It was there 
in Norriton that he erected his observatory ; there, with 
instruments constructed by himself, he explored the 
heavens. There learned scientists came from all parts to 
consult David Rittenhouse and to participate with him in 
124 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 



his observations. Montgomery County is proud to number 
him among the many noted men born within it boundaries. 
It was there, in Norriton, that lie constructed his wonderful 
orrery (now at Princeton), illustrating mechanically the 
movements of the solar system, upon a scale more elaborate 
and exact than had ever before been attempted. 

In alluding to it, Thomas Jefferson who was a philoso- 
pher as well as a statesman, wrote : "We have supposed Mr. 
Rittenhouse second to no astronomer living ; that in genius 
he must be the first, because he was self-taught. As an 
artist, he has exhibited as great a proof of mechanical 
genius as the world has ever produced. He has not, indeed, 
made a world, but he has by imitation, approached nearer 
its Maker than any man who has ever lived from creation 
to this day." 

On the first day, in addition to the dedication of the 
memorial, at which Judge B. Markley Boyer made the 
address, prayer was made by Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, 
D. D.; address of welcome; J. P. Hale Jenkins, Esq.; ad- 
dress, Joseph Fornance, Esq., President of the Centennial 
Association. At the conclusion of the exercises Rev. Isaac 
Gibson pronounced the benediction. Music by the Norris- 
town Band followed, which closed the program for the day. 

On the second day the exercises w^ere held in Music 
Hall. They opened with a prayer by Rev. H. S. Roden- 
bough, pastor of the Providence Presbyterian Church of 
Lower Providence. Opening address by Joseph Fornance, 
Esq. The never-to-be-forgotten Historical Oration by 
William J. Buck followed. Poem, Hon. George M. Corson. 
"Hallelujah Chorus," by the vocalists, accompanied by the 
orchestra. Rev. Dr. C. Z. Weiser, of East Greenville, a 
lineal descendant of the early pioneer Conrad Weiser, then 
followed with another oration. Benediction was pro- 
nounced by the Rev. Mr. Rodenbough. 

Thursday, September 11th was Parade Day. (It was 

such a parade as only Norristown knows how to arrange.) 

The parade was in four divisions. First Division, Col. D. 

C. Swank, Marshal. Second Division, J. P. Hale Jenkins, 

125 



Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

Esq., Marshal. Third Division, Major D. B. Hartranft, 
Marshal. Fourth Division, T. J. Baker, Marshal. One 
feature of the parade was the Indian children from the 
Indian Department of the Lincoln Institute of Philadelphia, 
who were in charge of Mrs. J. Belangee Coxe and Chai)lain 
J. L. Miller. They were received and cared for during their 
stay in Norristown by David Schall. The address of the 
day was made by Col. Theo. W. Bean. 

The Fourth day was devoted to the Antiquarian Expo- 
sition. This included historical records, antiques, Indian 
relics, antiquities of the first settlers and early purchasers, 
relics and records of the Colonial period and relics of the 
Revolutionary War. Also of the Mexican War; W'ar of 
1812, and the War for the Union. Old Furniture, china, 
pewter, silver, etc., early surgical and dental instruments, 
coins and paper money. 

Herbarium of ferns and flora of the county. These 
last named were by Mrs. J. F. Cottman, Jenkintown, ex- 
hibiting a book of natural flowers, prepared in 1859; 
remarkable for preserving colors. 

And by Miss Margaret B. Harvey, Lower Merion, col- 
lection of twenty-eight varieties of ferns found growing in 
Montgomery County, dried and mounted on paper in 
groups. Also sixty-nine drawings of wild flowers of Mont- 
gomery County. 

Ferns 

1. Polypodium. Poly podium vulgar c. 

2. Maiden Hair. Adiantum pedatitui. 

3. Brake, or bracken. Ptcris aquiliiia. 

4. Clifif brake. Pellara atropurpurca. 

5. Ebony fern. Asplcnium ebcnoidcs. 

6. Wall Rue fern. Asplciiiuin Ruta iiiuraria. 

7. Spleen-wort. Asploiiuiii augustifolinm. 

8. Larger Spleen-wort. Asploiiuiu fluiyptcroidcs. 

9. Lady fern. Asplciiiuui FiH.v-fonnina. 

10. Walking fern. Camptosorus rhizophyllus. 

11. Beech fern. Phcgopteris hcxagonoptcra. 

126 



And JMontgoniery County, Pennsylvania 

12. Swamp Shield fern. Aspidium Thdyptcris. 

13. New York fern. Aspidium Novcboraccnsc. 

14. Spring Shield fern. Aspidiitm Spinulosum. 

15. Crested fern. Aspidium Cristatum. 

16. Shield fern. Aspidiiiui Goldianum. 

17. Wood fern. Aspidium Marginalc. 

18. Christmas fern. Aspidium ,AcrosticIwides. 

19. Bladder fern. Cystopteris fragilis. 

20. Sensitive fern. Onoclca scnsihilis. 

21. Woodsia. JVoodsia Ilvcusis. 

22. Dicksonia. Dicksonia punctilohula. 

23. Royal fern. Osmunda regalis. 

24. Clayton's fern. Osmunda Claytoniana. 

25. Cinnamon fern. Osmunda cinnamonca. 

26. Grape fern. Boirychium Virginicum. 

27. Moonwort. BotrycJiium lunarioidcs (variety ohli- 

quum) . 

28. Moonwort. Botrycliium lunarioidcs {variety dissec- 

tum). 
The sixty-nine drawings, by Miss Harvey, of wild 
flowers of Montgomery County were arranged in groups, 
viz. : 

Spring Flowers 

Group I 

1. Trailing Arbutus. Epigcca re pens. 

2. Liverleaf. Hcpatiea triloba. 

3. Wild hyacinth, or blue bottle. Muscari rocemosum. 

4. Blood root. Sanguinaria Canadensis. 

5. Spring beauty. Claytonia Virginica. 

6. Rue anemone. TJialictrum ancmonoides. 

7. Wood anemone. Anemone ncmorosa. 

8. Golden corydalis. Corydalis flavula. 

9. Dutchman's breeches. Dicentra eueuUaria. 

Group II 

1. Quaker ladies. Houstonia ccrrulea. 

2. Dog tooth. Erythronium Americanum. 

127 



Historic Lower Merion and Block/ 



ey 



3. \'iolet sorrel. O.valis violacca. 

4. Columbine. Aqitilcgia Canadensis. 

5. Tooth root. Dcntaria laciniaia. 

6. W'ild geranium. Gcraiiiniii iiiacitlafitni. 

7 . Cinquefoil. Potciitilla Canadoisis. 

8. Solomon's seal. Polygouatitni (jigantcnm. 

9. Jack-in-the-Pulpit. Arisccma triphylliim. 

Group III 
Violets 

1. Common purple violet. T/o/a cncuUata. 

2. Sweet-scented white violet. ]"iola hlanda. 

3. Heart-leaved violet. Viola cordata. 

4. Arrow-headed violet. Viola sagittata. 

5. Hand-leaved violet. T'/o/a palmata.. 

6. Yellow violet. Viola piihcsccns. 

7. Striped violet. Viola striata. 

8. Bird-foot violet. ]'iola pcdata. 

9. Dog violet, l^iola canina. 

Summer Flowers 
Group I 

1. Buttercups. Ranunculus acris. 

2. Daisies. LeucantJicmmn vulgarc. 

3. Azalea. Azalea nudiflora. 

4. Laurel. Kalmia latifoUa. 

5. Blue flag. Iris versicolor. 

6. Cockle. Lychnis githago. 

7. Indian physic. Gillcnia trifoliata. 

8. Partridge berry. Mitchella repens. 

9. Wild rose. Rosa hlanda. 

Group II 

1. Spider wort. Tradescantia J'irginica. 

2. Venus' looking-glass. Spccularia perfoliata. 

3. Wild lily. Liliuui supurhum. 

4. Wild pink. Dianthus arnieria. 

5. Starry campion. Siloie stellafa. 

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And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

6. Bouncing Bet. Saponaria officinal is. 

7. Indian pipe. Monotropa uniflora. 

8. Shin leaf. Pyrola cUiptica. 

9. Pipsissewa. Chimaphila luaculata. 

Group III 
Orchids 

1. Showy orchis. OrcJiis spectabilis. 

2. Twayblade. Liparis lilifolia. 

3. Adam and Eve. Aplcctnnn Jiycuialc. 

4. Fringed orchis. Habcnaria laccra. 

5. Rattlesnake plantain. Goodycra pubescens. 

6. Ladies' tresses. Spirantlics gracilis. 

Autumn Flowers 
Group I 

1. Butterfly plant. Asclepias tuberosa. 

2. Cone flower. Rudbcckia Jiirta. 

3. Wild sunflower. H clianthus strnmosus. 

4. Cardinal Flower. Lobelia cardinalis. 

5. Golden rod. Solidago. 

6. Blue and White Asters. Aster. 

7. Closed gentian. Gentiana Andrczvsii. 

8. Touch-me-not. Impatiens fulva. 

9. Evening primrose, diwtlicra bietuiis. 

Group II 

1. Snap-dragon. Linaria vulgaris. 

2. Arrow-head. Sagittaria variabilis. 

3. Blue lobelia. Lobelia syphilitica. 

4. \'irgin's bower. Clematis Virginica. 

5. Gerardia. Gcrardia tennifolia. 

6. Man-of-the-earth. Ipomoca pandiirata. 

7. Monkey flower. Minidus alatiis. 

8. Lick trefoil. Desmodium nudifloruju. 

9. Shell flower. Chelonc glabra. 

The total number of exhibitors at tliis Antiquarian 
Exposition was 1.240 — showing how many people were 
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Historic Lower Merion and Blockley 

interested in making this exhibit a success. Many of the 
articles displayed were of rare interest and value. 

The National Geographic Magazine, Washington, 
has been publishing a series of articles on the "Common 
American Wild Flowers." These are beautifully illus- 
trated, so the flowers may be readily recognized. In the 
introduction to these articles we read, "Many of these, 
such as the daisy, mullen, aster, blue-flag, etc., are so plenti- 
ful that they may be picked at Avill ; but there are others — 
for instance, the Mayapple, Spring beauty, lupines, lady- 
slipper, etc., which may become as rare as the trailing 
arbutus unless everyone unites to preserve them. So it is 
to be hoped that the city dwellers who, on their automo- 
bile excursions, thoughtlessly cut and bring back great 
branches of dogwood and baskets laden with our rarer wood 
flowers will soon realize that, unless their plucking be tem- 
pered with judgment, the suburbs of all our cities will, in 
the not-distant future, be bereft of many of these flower 
treasures." 

Mr. John C. Wister, Philadelphia, rose and iris expert 
recently addressing a meeting of the Garden Club at the 
Academy of Natural Sciences, voiced the same sentiments. 
Mr. Wister made an urgent plea for the preservation of our 
wild flowers, which, he said, are in grave "danger of ex- 
termination." 

As Miss Harvey gave the names of all the native wild 
flowers of Montgomery County the writer has included 
them in this volume, with the hope that they may help in 
the preservation of those in danger of extermination. 

Joseph Fornance, Esq., President of the "Centennial 
Association of Montgomery County," in his address, Sep- 
tember 9, 1884, said : "The Act of Assembly establishing 
the county states that the reason for cutting off three- 
fourths of Philadelphia County and making Montgomery 
County of it, was its great distance from the courts of 
Philadelphia. That seems a strange reason now, for rail- 
roads and telephones have annihilated distances." 
130 



And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

Thirty-eight years have passed since Mr. Fornancc 
uttered those words. The telephone was then in its in- 
fancy, Mr. Bell having for the first time publicly demon- 
strated it at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, in 
1876. In 1884 very few were in use. Now they are 
installed in almost every dwelling, so we may talk 
to each other at any time. With the electric trains added 
to the steam roads our children go back and forth to schools 
and colleges in Philadelphia daily; the automobile carries 
the business man to and fro. The aeroplane and the radio 
are among the latest inventions annihilating time and space. 
All settlements in Montgomery County have really become 
suburban to the Quaker City, and sometimes it seems to 
the writer that, perhaps, before many years have gone by, 
the two counties may again be one. 



131 



